Low Mood

Low mood is an emotional state characterised by sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, tiredness and frustration. In its most severe form, it becomes an ongoing problem that impacts your daily life (usually referred to as depression)

Symptoms of low mood

  • Feeling down, upset or tearful
  • Irritability or frustration
  • Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy.
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
  • Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

However, unlike depression, these symptoms only persist for a short period of time (around 2 weeks) and doesn’t affect your ability to live a normal life. You can still find enjoyment in positive activities. Low mood is something that everyone experiences now and then. A low mood often gets better after a few days or weeks. It is usually possible to improve a low mood by making small changes in your life. For example, resolving something that’s bothering you or getting more sleep.

Types of mood disorders

  • Major depression
  • Dysthymia (Dysthymic disorder)
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Mood disorder due to a general medical condition

and substance- induced mood disorder

Causes of low mood 

  • Living with an illness
  • Stress at school, university or work
  • A bereavement
  • Hormonal fluctuations
  • Lifestyle changes

There are lots of things that can influence our mental health, such as our upbringing, childhood environment, things that happen to us and even our temperament.

Information:

A low mood that doesn’t go away can be a sign of depression. Symptoms of depression can include the following – low mood lasting 2 weeks or more or not getting any enjoyment out of life.

Things you can do to help a low mood.

Do

  • Try talking about your feelings to a friend, Family member, health professional or counsellor
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  • Try the six ways to feel happier – which are simple lifestyle changes to help you feel more in control and able to cope.
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  • Find out how to raise your self-esteem.
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  • Consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other.

National Supporting Services

Local Supporting Services

Page last reviewed: 9 June 2024
Next review due: 9 June 2025