We all experience low mood at times, maybe feeling sad or miserable about life. Usually, these feelings pass in due course. However, if these feelings interfere with your life and do not go away after a couple of weeks, or if they keep coming back, it could be a sign that you are experiencing depression.
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. People can feel tearful, empty and hopeless, but also lose interest in the things they used to enjoy.
Even meeting up with family and friends can seem like a huge effort, which creates a sense of loneliness and isolation. There can also be physical symptoms, such as feeling tired, loss of appetite, an inability to concentrate on work and various aches and pains in the body.
Usually, people who have low mood feel worthless so do not prioritise self-care. They may develop a reliance on substances (e.g. tobacco, alcohol, drugs) or, in extreme cases, self-harming to numb these uncomfortable feelings and feel emotionally better.
Depression can make it difficult to get help. Your low mood may be making you feel demotivated and that anything is a struggle. People often liken depression to hitting a brick wall where it can feel impossible to get out of bed in the morning and face the day.
Counselling can help confront your depression to understand what it is and why it might be affecting you. There are different interventions that can be effective in treating depression, depending on what its cause is and its presentation.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you understand your negative thinking and alter it to improve your mood. If, however, there has been a significant life event (e.g. bereavement, divorce) it may be useful to explore and process this to help move on with your life.
If you would like to discuss your concerns around your low mood or depression, please call or text on the number below or use the contact form to get in touch.
