Sadness is an emotional pain associated with feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment, and sorrow. It is one of the six basic emotions described by Paul Ekman, along with happiness, anger, surprise, fear, and disgust. Sadness can be experienced along with other emotions, such as anger, fear, and joy. It is a common experience in childhood and can lead to depression if not addressed properly. Sadness is usually caused by a loss of some kind, such as the loss of someone or something important. While sadness is often considered a “negative” emotion, it serves an important role in signaling a need to receive help or comfort. It is different from depression, which is a common but serious mental health condition that lasts for two weeks or more and interferes with normal, everyday functioning.
It is important to acknowledge and manage sadness properly. Acknowledging sadness can make it easier for families to address more serious emotional problems. Feeling sad can prompt you to make choices that improve your life. Sadness can be managed by reaching out to people you want to connect with, like your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. If your sadness does not go away, it is important to get help from a professional.
