Mental health
Low mood
Low mood means feeling sad, flat or down for a period of time, which can be a normal reaction or part of depression when it lasts.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of low mood and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is low mood?
Everyone feels down from time to time, and short spells of low mood after stress, loss or disappointment are a normal part of life that usually lift within a week or two. Low mood becomes more important when it lasts for weeks, comes with little reason, or starts to affect sleep, appetite, energy, concentration or your enjoyment of things you usually like.
- Get urgent help: Thoughts of suicide, of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living — get help now: call 999 or go to A&E if you might act on these thoughts, or call the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123. Feeling unable to keep yourself safe.
- Self-care: Small, steady steps often help low mood the most.
About low mood
Everyone feels down from time to time, and short spells of low mood after stress, loss or disappointment are a normal part of life that usually lift within a week or two. Low mood becomes more important when it lasts for weeks, comes with little reason, or starts to affect sleep, appetite, energy, concentration or your enjoyment of things you usually like. When persistent low mood is joined by these wider changes, it may be depression, which is common and very treatable. Whatever the cause, you do not have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help, and support is available.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if low mood comes with any of these warning signs:
- Thoughts of suicide, of harming yourself, or that life is not worth living — get help now: call 999 or go to A&E if you might act on these thoughts, or call the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123.
- Feeling unable to keep yourself safe.
- New thoughts of harming others.
- Hearing or seeing things that others do not.
- Not eating, drinking or coping at all.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if low mood has lasted more than a couple of weeks, if it is affecting your work, relationships or ability to cope, or if it keeps coming back. It is also worth being seen if you feel low after having a baby, if mood changes follow the seasons, or if low mood comes with tiredness that makes you wonder about a physical cause such as your thyroid. Asking for help early often means you start feeling better sooner, and there are many effective options, including talking therapies and support from organisations such as Mind.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of low mood
Low mood has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Small, steady steps often help low mood the most. Try to keep some routine to your day, get outside for natural light and gentle activity, and stay connected with people you trust rather than withdrawing. Regular sleep, eating well, and cutting back on alcohol can all lift mood, while doing even small amounts of things you used to enjoy can slowly rebuild momentum. Be patient and kind with yourself, set gentle goals, and talk to someone about how you are feeling. Talking therapies and self-help approaches can be very effective, and you do not have to manage low mood alone.
Answers
Low mood: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between low mood and depression?
Low mood is usually short-lived and lifts on its own, while depression lasts for weeks and comes with wider changes such as loss of interest, poor sleep, low energy and difficulty enjoying anything. If low mood is not lifting, it is worth getting help.
When should I get help for feeling down?
Reach out if low mood has lasted more than two weeks, is affecting daily life, or keeps returning. If you ever have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, get help straight away by calling 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123.
Can talking therapy really help?
Yes. Talking therapies are effective for low mood and depression and help many people. They give you practical tools and support, and can be used alongside other approaches your doctor may suggest.
Where can I get support right now?
You can contact the Samaritans free at any time on 116 123, or organisations such as Mind for information and support. If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- Mind (mental health charity)
- Samaritans (free, any time, 116 123)
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