There are days that feel gray, the body doesn’t cooperate, and there’s no desire to get out of bed—not even to talk, watch a movie, let alone exercise. This can be seen as a form of expressing sadness. This feeling is part of the human response to critical undesirable situations.

Usually, in these moments, we pause and reflect, considering all possible ways out of the situation. The expression of sadness can be an opportunity to grow and recover,” explains Ana Merzel, coordinator of the Psychology Service at Einstein.

It is known that sadness is just as important as happiness, as the two together ensure balance. On the other hand, if the sadness is deep and causes someone to give up on everything, it’s time to be alert. The problem begins when these periods of sadness become frequent and intense, leading to depression—a condition that affects 121 million people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it was estimated that by 2020, depression would become the second leading cause of disability.

“It’s important to pay attention when sadness is frequent and impacts daily life, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities such as socializing and working,” clarifies Ana Merzel.

Depression is so serious that it can lead to suicide. But the symptoms are clear: depressed mood, loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities, feelings of guilt, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, lack of appetite, low energy, and difficulty concentrating. Some of these signs for a few days are normal, according to specialists, but if they persist for more than 15 days, it’s important to seek medical help.

Balance

When behavioral changes are noticed, it’s important to act quickly. Depression—one of the complications of sadness—is a serious health issue and, depending on its stage and intensity, professional help is needed, including psychologists and psychiatrists.

In some cases, medication is necessary to block the effects of depression by stimulating the production of serotonin—a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of pleasure. However, Einstein specialists warn that medication should only be used with a medical prescription. After all, those who rely on unnecessary medication may experience artificial emotions. “Medications play an important role in treatment, but they should not be used indiscriminately for life. We are not machines that live in a systematic way,” warns Ana Merzel.

Therapy help patients rethink their situation and deal with their problems. Physical exercise is also a great option. “With treatment, people learn to experience their issues, manage them, and recognize their limits. Family support is also essential during this time, especially in supporting the patient,” says Dr. Alfredo Maluf Neto, psychiatrist at Einstein’s Psychosomatic Medicine Center.

By Einstein Editorial Board