The 8 Types Of Sadness: Characteristics, Possible Causes And Symptoms
Sadness is a universal human emotion that we all experience in different forms and intensities. It’s more than just feeling down — it’s a signal that something meaningful is affecting our inner world. Although people often speak of sadness as a single feeling, it actually comes in many shades and layers, each with its own triggers, characteristics, and symptoms.
Understanding the different types of sadness can help us better process emotions, build emotional intelligence, and support others going through emotional difficulties.
In this article, we’ll explore eight distinct types of sadness, what they feel like, why they occur, and how they affect our minds and bodies.
Sadness is one of the so-called basic emotions, along with joy, surprise, fear, surprise, anger and disgust. As we have mentioned, it is a universal emotion shared by all humanity regardless of their culture, race or way of life, although it can be expressed in different ways.
It arises as a partly psychic and partly physiological reaction to some type of event, which can be exterior or interior. That is, it may appear derived from events or external stimulations (or the absence of these) or from the existence of specific thoughts that are aversive to us and about which we consider that we cannot or that we have few options to do something.
Symptoms of Sadness
It is generally defined as a feeling of discomfort, fatigue and low energy level that usually appears together with a perception of emptiness in the chest or intestines, a decrease in self-esteem and a tendency towards isolation and introspection. It is common for there to be some motor slowing and lower muscle tone than usual. It also usually goes hand in hand with ruminations about what may have caused its appearance, in addition to a decrease in the ability to pay attention to the rest of the environment.
Sadness is a highly aversive emotion: most people do not like to be sad, since it generally implies discomfort and mental and/or physical suffering. However, there are also people who experience a tendency or search for states of sadness, due to the lack of desire or fear of changing the situations that generate it or due to the existence of secondary benefits.
However, and although we generally all try to avoid those situations that generate this emotion, the fact that we can feel sad (as long as we do not reach pathological levels) is much more beneficial to us than one might think.
Main adaptive functions of sadness
The existence of sadness as something that we can all feel and that a large number of animals have in addition to us is not something coincidental: sadness has an adaptive function that favors our survival.
Like the pain, the perception of sadness can help us take some type of action that allows us to get out of the situation that generates the feeling of discomfort: although sadness generally decreases energy, it also makes it easier for us to make changes in the future that prevent us from returning to aversive stimulation. That is, it can motivate us to change.
Another beneficial aspect is that the reduction in energy it generates allows us to save strength on a physical level, in addition to promoting reflection and rumination about what is happening around us. In this way, sadness provides us with a context in which we can learn about the reason for its appearance and strengthen ourselves in the future.
It also makes us capable of entering a state of introspection and knowing deep aspects of our being that we would not consider in another state of mind. Likewise, feeling discomfort allows us to train our ability to face adversity, and over time it can alter our perception of competence and self-esteem.
Finally, as a general rule, sadness generates empathy and compassion in the members of the group, so expressing sadness can lead our environment to pay attention to us and take care of us. In this sense, it also has a function of protection and group cohesion.
Types of sadness according to their functionality
Roughly we can identify four main types of sadness depending on whether its existence is functional or not.
1. Situational Sadness
This is the most common type of sadness, triggered by a specific situation or event — such as a breakup, losing a job, or a personal failure.
Characteristics:
Short-term emotional response
Directly linked to a clear cause
Can be intense but usually fades with time
Possible Causes:
Ending of a relationship
Loss of a loved one
Academic or career setbacks
Symptoms:
Tearfulness
Feelings of disappointment or guilt
Withdrawal from social interactions
2. Existential Sadness
This sadness is rooted in deep contemplation about life, mortality, and meaning. People may experience it during major life transitions or after introspective thinking.
Characteristics:
Philosophical or spiritual in nature
Often leads to personal growth or transformation
Hard to trace to one specific cause
Possible Causes:
Midlife crisis
Realization of life’s impermanence
Loss of identity or purpose
Symptoms:
Reflective mood
Fatigue or apathy
Emotional distance from everyday concerns
3. Empathic Sadness
Empathic sadness arises when you witness or imagine the suffering of others. It’s common in people with high emotional sensitivity or empathy.
Characteristics:
Not directly related to personal events
Triggered by others’ pain
Can lead to compassion or emotional exhaustion
Possible Causes:
Seeing someone cry or suffer
Exposure to emotional movies or news
Deep concern for a loved one
Symptoms:
Crying or feeling choked up
Physical heaviness in the chest
Desire to help or fix the situation
4. Seasonal Sadness
Also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this type of sadness is tied to changes in seasons, especially during the winter months when sunlight is limited.
Characteristics:
Predictable and cyclical
Often worsens during fall and winter
Linked to changes in circadian rhythm and melatonin levels
Possible Causes:
Reduced exposure to sunlight
Cold weather and isolation
Disruption in sleep and mood-regulating hormones
Symptoms:
Low energy or fatigue
Increased need for sleep
Cravings for carbs or comfort food
5. Repressed Sadness
Some people suppress or hide their sadness, either consciously or unconsciously. Over time, this can manifest in physical or psychological symptoms.
Characteristics:
Hidden beneath other emotions like anger or numbness
Can lead to chronic stress or physical tension
Often internalized and unspoken
Possible Causes:
Cultural or family norms discouraging emotional expression
Trauma or unresolved grief
Fear of vulnerability
Symptoms:
Physical tension (especially in the chest or throat)
Anxiety or irritability
Unexplained sadness during quiet moments
6. Grief-Related Sadness
This is a deep, often prolonged form of sadness caused by a significant loss — usually the death of a loved one or pet.
Characteristics:
Profound and lasting
Moves through stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
Can resurface on anniversaries or reminders
Possible Causes:
Death or loss of someone close
Divorce or permanent separation
Loss of home or stability
Symptoms:
Persistent crying or emotional numbness
Sleep disturbances
Feeling of emptiness or loss of purpose
7. Depressive Sadness
This is not just sadness — it’s a symptom of clinical depression. It goes beyond temporary emotional responses and becomes a persistent emotional state.
Characteristics:
Long-lasting (weeks or more)
Affects daily life, relationships, and work
May require therapy or medical treatment
Possible Causes:
Chemical imbalance in the brain
Genetics and family history
Long-term stress or unresolved trauma
Symptoms:
Loss of interest in activities
Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
8. Nostalgic Sadness
This bittersweet emotion arises when we long for the past — often tied to childhood memories, former relationships, or better times.
Characteristics:
Mixed with warm, happy memories
Can be comforting yet emotionally heavy
Triggered by smells, music, or photos
Possible Causes:
Revisiting childhood places
Hearing an old song
Reflecting on past love or friendships
Symptoms:
Melancholy feeling with a smile
Daydreaming or reminiscing
Emotional tears or a soft ache in the chest
A philosophical vision: types of sadness according to Saint Thomas Aquinas
Sadness is and has always been one of the most basic human emotions, and has been studied since ancient times. In this sense, historically some authors and researchers have tried to make various classifications regarding the existence of different types of sadness. An example of this was Saint Thomas Aquinas, who started from his research and previous classifications made by authors such as Aristotle to make his own classification in this regard.
Although it may not have scientific validity, this way of cataloging the types of sadness is interesting on a historical and philosophical level and can make us think that basically the different categories it shows, although they are known as different emotions With each other, they have fundamental elements in common. Within this classification we find the following types of sadness.
1. Sadness due to one’s own evil
This kind of sadness is characterized by appearing based on the suffering that one feels when some type of painful or aversive situation occurs, or by the deprivation of our needs and wills. It would be linked to deprivation or misery.
2. Compassion
Under the philosophical prism established by this author, compassion could be considered another type of sadness, which in this case refers to the suffering we perceive in others. Observing the suffering of a loved one moves us and can cause sadness and discomfort.
Compassion is a characteristic that makes solidarity and helping the vulnerable possible, which is the foundation of societies.
3. Envy
Another type of sadness can come from observing how others achieve some type of good or achieve some goal that we would like for ourselves.
Realizing that others do have what we want and cannot can cause us sadness and suffering, from which envy arises. It is an emotional tension that arises from comparison with those we consider successful in some sense.
4. Discouragement or anguish
Sadness and anxiety are often deeply related. In this sense, discouragement or anguish can be considered a type of sadness that is linked to the loss of mobility or motivation when not finding anything that satisfies us or allows us to move towards our goals. It is also related to uncertainty and desire to preserve some type of asset or stay on track toward your goals. On the other hand, this psychological factor is associated with demotivation.
Depression: beyond feeling sad
One of the concepts that is generally associated with sadness is depression. And in major depression or during depressive episodes, one of the main and most important symptoms is the existence of a sad mood.
However, it would be wrong to identify depression with sadness since the former implies, in addition to being sad, a set of symptoms among which anhedonia or lack of ability to feel pleasure, sleep problems (both insomnia and excessive sleepiness), loss or increased appetite, hopelessness and passivity, seeing the world, self and future as negative and aversive, lack of energy, concentration and libido or even suicidal thoughts.
Why Understanding Sadness Matters
Recognizing the type of sadness we feel helps us:
Choose the best way to cope
Understand our emotional needs
Offer better support to others
Avoid misdiagnosing ourselves
Not all sadness is pathological — sometimes it’s a sign that we’re connected to our values, people we love, and the world around us. Embracing sadness can help us grow emotionally and build deeper resilience.
FAQs About the Types of Sadness
What’s the difference between sadness and depression?
Sadness is usually temporary and tied to a specific event, while depression is persistent and interferes with daily life. If sadness lasts for more than two weeks and includes symptoms like hopelessness or suicidal thoughts, it may indicate clinical depression.
Can I feel more than one type of sadness at the same time?
Yes, it’s common to experience a blend of different sadness types. For example, losing a loved one can bring both grief-related and nostalgic sadness, while also sparking existential sadness.
Is it bad to feel sad often?
Not necessarily. Sadness is a healthy emotional response, but if it becomes constant or overwhelming, it might be a sign that something deeper needs attention. Therapy or emotional support can help.
How can I deal with empathic sadness without burning out?
Set emotional boundaries, limit exposure to distressing media, and balance empathy with self-care practices. Taking care of your emotional energy is essential.
When should I seek professional help for sadness?
If sadness is affecting your sleep, relationships, work, or leads to harmful thoughts, it’s time to speak with a mental health professional. You don’t need to wait for a crisis to ask for help.
