Crying over little things can be a sign of depression, but crying — like fever or headache — is a symptom that may have any number of causes. No matter what the cause, these episodes of tearfulness are a signal of emotional distress worth taking seriously.

People are often curious where "ordinary sadness" ends and "clinical depression" begins, but there is no clear dividing line.

Formally, doctors define depression by listing several symptoms (in addition to tearfulness):

• persistent low mood
• a major change in appetite or sleep
• a drop in energy level
• trouble concentrating
• feelings of worthlessness
• thoughts of death or suicide

The low mood of depression can be very persistent. It can't be lifted at will or easily wished away or joked away.

If you don't have any other symptoms of depression, and your sadness or low mood is bothering you, are you still entitled to get help? Of course you are, and you should.

For one thing, if you are curious about the possibility of depression, that is probably a great reason to talk to a professional. Even when sadness is "ordinary," it may be quite painful. If you can't shake it, why not try to get some relief?

A good place to start is advice from your doctor. Your doctor may have some suggestions. Or your doctor may refer you to a mental health professional that can help you understand where the tears are coming from.

Often people are hesitant to seek this kind of help because they wrongly believe it is a sign of weakness. Others think that it will require a big commitment of time. Whether the tears are a sign of depression or not, getting professional advice is the first step toward helping you feel better.