Sadness and depression are two very different things, and more often than not people confuse them for each other or consider them the same thing. As someone who falls victim to both let me try to explain, in my own words, how I differentiate them.
It's kind of like swimming. Someone who is sad knows how to swim. They like to swim and do it more often than not, but there are times when the waves get too rough and the water starts to get hazy with sand buildup underneath the surface. They know how to swim, but they start to get exhausted; physically and emotionally. After pushing as hard as they can to continue swimming, they just stop. They float for some time. Some of the waters finds its way into the floaters eyes, but they are still above the water. After awhile, no knowing how long it will take, the sun will rise and shine in their eyes so strongly that they won't be able to keep floating on their back so they do indeed begin to start swimming once again. Whether they make it to shore or not, they keep on keeping on.
While on the other hand, someone who is depressed may think they know how to swim, and for some amount of time they probably did know how very well. Though when then waves get too rough they fight. They don't take a break they fight against the current so much that when they can no longer physically fight anymore they cannot float, they drown. Although they are drowning they never actually die. They just simply disappear under the waves holding their breath for dear life. The problem is, it is hard for them to find shore or help because they fought the waves for so long that they are so far out into uncharted water that most people on shore don't even realize they have disappeared into the heart of the ocean.
Since it may be hard to tell the difference between someone with a sad soul and a depressed soul for most people you must be aware. For yourself and for others you may fall in love with. Because the depressed ones are harder to identify, they hide in plain sight. It's harder for them to call for help since their lungs are filling with water so quickly. So when someone tells you they need help, they are sad, and yes you can probably save them. But if someone laughs at the thought of hope and happiness rather than talk about it... they are far under the surface, they are the ones who need to be shown love to just told about it. If you are in love with someone who is depressed rather than sad, don't tell them it's going to be okay, instead dive in for them, and just drown a little until they grasp your hand then bring them to the surface to be able to breath once again.
