Sadness and the continuum from well-being to depressive disorder: Findings from a representative US population sample

Sadness is a common symptom in the general population. We tested hypothesis that sadness an intermediate state on continuum from well-being to major depressive disorder (MDD). Using data The National Epidemiologic Study of Alcohol and Related Conditions III (NESARC-III), large representative US population sample, we assessed prevalence sadness, its sociodemographic clinical correlates, using three non-overlapping groups: (i) non-depressed sad participants, (ii) non-sad participants (iii) depressed participants. estimated sensitivity specificity sadness. was frequent 34.3%), present almost all with MDD (99.6%). Sad (N = 4593) 7889 respectively) shared characteristics. Compared controls, presented more psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, substance use, psychotic, eating personality disorders. state, individuals reporting disorders than but less MDD. demonstrated very high (99.6%), good (83.8%) for NESARC over lifetime, which may involve memorization bias. Our study confirms existence continuum. population, shares correlates have also shown where between With specificity, appears as clear prodrome at-risk be transdiagnostic distress process.