What's the difference between being sad and being depressed?

That's a pretty common question. And, well, feeling sad is typically an emotional reaction to something that happens in your life—a pet passing away, an argument with your partner, or getting a bad grade. The biggest difference between sadness and depression is that sadness fades over time. Depression, on the other hand, is more long-term and can have an over-powering effect on your life. You feel constantly tired, unmotivated, and hopeless.

Depression is really common, especially for those of us living with HIV. In fact, more than 16 million Americans are living with depression. Hope is out there, though. There are a lot of ways to manage depression, and you have a community right here by your side. We love you!