The difference between depression and sadness

Depression is the most misunderstood mental health illness, "Ang Pinaka" said on Sunday.

More often than not, the word "depressed" is waved around to describe sadness but experts explain that the momentary feeling of sadness or grief isn't the same and definitely not interchangeable with depression.

"Diba nasa-sad ka kapag nag-break kayo ng syota mo. Na-depress ka kapag namatay 'yung nanay, tatay — those are normal depressive episodes," Psychiatrist Dr. Babes Manalo of St. Lukes Medical Center QC began.

"At kapag nakabalik ka sa dati mong ginagawa, nakapag-function ka, nakapagtrabaho ka, you work again, that's fine."

"Ang depression kasi, kapag hindi ka na nakakabalik doon sa dati mong ginagawa," she explained.

In the episode, depression is defined as a serious mental health illness that has overpowering effect on the way a person feels, thinks and acts. It causes immense sadness and loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Joseph Francisco of Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila said that a person who has depression may even entertain suicidal thoughts and has a physiological effect on his or her appetite and sleeping pattern.

She or he may not eat or overeat, and can't sleep or rather oversleep.

"Bago masabing depressed ang isang tao, six months niya muna maranasan 'yung ganoong pakiramdam na naapektuhan na ang kanyang pag-aaral, kanyang social life, kanyang trabaho," award-winning author of children's books Dr. Luis Gatmaitan said.

Depression shouldn't be undermined because it is definitely real.

Francisco added, "Hindi madali sa isang tao na mag-suffer with depression so they need medication, they need psychotherapies, they need a strong support system in order to go back sa kanilang daily function."

Aside from depression, the most commonly misunderstood mental health illnesses are down syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, autism, ADHD, bipolar, retarded, and stress. — Kaela Malig/ LA, GMA News