Low Mood: Causes, Symptoms, and How We Can Help

What is low mood?

Low mood is an emotional state where you might feel sad, tired, anxious, or frustrated — these low mood symptoms can show up in different ways for different people. It can affect how you see yourself and the world around you. While feeling low from time to time is normal, if it lingers and starts to impact your daily life, it may be a sign of depression.

Sometimes low mood is linked to external factors like the loss of a loved one, managing an illness, or stress from work, university, or relationships. But it can also happen without an obvious cause.

The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to wait for your low mood to become severe to seek help. Talking to someone about how you feel can be a valuable first step in understanding and improving your emotional wellbeing.

If you're worried about low mood, or just feeling low in mood generally, you can book an appointment with one of our GPs today.

Common symptoms of low mood

Low mood can look and feel different for everyone, but common signs include:

  • Feeling sad, tearful, or “empty”

  • Low self-esteem or feeling bad about yourself

  • Lack of interest in activities you usually enjoy

  • Desire to withdraw from friends, family, or social activities

  • Difficulty sleeping, oversleeping, or feeling constantly tired

  • Changes in appetite—either eating too much or too little

  • Feeling irritable, agitated, or restless

  • Struggling to concentrate or think clearly

  • Moving or speaking more slowly than usual

A key symptom of low mood is hopelessness—the feeling that things won’t get better. This can sometimes lead to thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you’re experiencing these thoughts, it’s important to seek immediate support.

Help is available:

  • Call 999 in an emergency

  • Contact the Samaritans on 116 123

Woman with braided hair crying, a tear rolling down her cheek

What causes low mood?

Low mood can be triggered by a variety of factors, including life events, health issues, and lifestyle habits.

 Cause

 What this looks like 

Past experiences 

Traumatic experiences, such as childhood abuse, neglect, bullying, or the loss of a loved one, can have a lasting impact on mental health. 

Current challenges 

Stressful situations like a breakup, losing your job, or financial difficulties can contribute to low mood. Even positive changes, like moving house or starting a new job, can feel overwhelming. 

Pregnancy and childbirth 

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and after giving birth can cause low mood. While "baby blues" are common, persistent low mood may indicate postnatal depression. 

Health conditions 

Chronic illnesses, hormonal changes, or side effects of certain medications can all play a role in low mood. 

Lifestyle habits 

Poor sleep, a lack of exercise, a poor diet, or excessive alcohol or drug use can contribute to feeling low. Loneliness and isolation are also key factors. 

Diagnosis and treatment for low mood

When low mood becomes persistent or begins to interfere with your daily life, it’s important to seek help.

Getting diagnosed: A GP can ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and any past experiences that may be contributing to your low mood. They may also explore whether you’ve been having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

 Treatment options

 What is involved

Self-management 

Lifestyle changes like better sleep, regular exercise, and eating healthily can make a big difference. Speaking to friends/relatives and doing things you enjoy are also important.

Talking therapies 

Speaking with a trained counsellor or therapist can help you understand and manage your feelings. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is particularly effective for identifying and addressing negative thought patterns. 

Medication 

Antidepressants, such as SSRIs, may be recommended if other treatments aren’t enough on their own. 

Low mood at university or work

Feeling low while juggling the pressures of university or work is very common, but it’s important to seek help before it affects your mental wellbeing further.

At university

Being away from family, facing academic challenges, or dealing with financial pressures can lead to feelings of loneliness and stress. If you’re finding it hard to cope, speak to a doctor and explore the pastoral care services at your university, which can offer counselling and academic support.

At work

Workplace pressures can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with a heavy workload, difficult colleagues, or job insecurity. Remember, your employer has a legal responsibility to support your mental health and make reasonable adjustments if needed. Speaking to a GP can help you access the support you need.

How we can help

At Doctor Care Anywhere, we’re here to help you take the first step in tackling low mood.

  • Discuss your symptoms and recommend practical steps to improve your mood.
  • Advise on treatment options, including self-help strategies, therapy, and medication.
  • Refer you for private therapy (if you have insurance) or provide information on accessing NHS services.

If your symptoms are severe, we can also provide guidance on when to seek specialist care, such as support from a psychiatrist.

Taking that first step can feel daunting, but talking to a GP can make all the difference. Book a confidential appointment with one of our experienced doctors today to get started.

Man resting his head on his crossed arms, appearing withdrawn

Frequently asked questions

Here are direct answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about low mood.

Some people ask about low mood supplements or vitamins for low mood, and while a generally balanced diet does support your mental wellbeing, there’s limited evidence that supplements for low mood can treat low mood on their own. If you’re considering them, it’s worth speaking to a GP first — especially if you’re already taking other medication — so you get advice that’s tailored to you rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

If low mood becomes a concern, a GP will usually assess how you’re feeling as part of an ongoing assessment — a conversation about your symptoms, lifestyle, and any recent changes, rather than a single test. They’ll look at whether your mood is a temporary dip or a more lasting problem, and may ask you to monitor how you feel over the following weeks. Because everyone’s status and experience is different, being able to recognise identifiable patterns — like when symptoms started or what seems to trigger them — can help guide the right support.

Support for low mood can range from a single conversation to a more structured intervention, depending on what’s needed. The goal is always a good outcome and, where possible, full recovery — though for many people it’s about learning to sustain wellbeing over the long term rather than a one-off fix. Your GP will engage with you and work with you to develop a plan that works for your life, helping you handle day-to-day challenges, respond to setbacks, and care for your wider wellbeing along the way. Low mood is very treatable and usually manageable with the right sustainable, comprehensive and holistic approach — one that considers your whole life, not just your symptoms.

Good support for low mood should always feel relevant and helpful to your specific situation, not generic advice. A professional, caring and genuinely supportive relationship with your GP or therapist is a good sign — they should be responsive to how you’re feeling and adjust their approach if something isn’t working. Setting realistic, achievable goals, and taking time to educate yourself about what’s helping, can make the whole process feel more beneficial and worthwhile.

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