Depressed mood is a state in which a person feels sadness, despondency, emotional heaviness, a lower overall mood, or a sense that familiar events bring less joy. Sometimes it arises in response to stress, exhaustion, loss, conflict or other life circumstances. In other cases, it may appear without an obvious cause.
Depressed mood in itself is not a diagnosis. It can be a temporary emotional reaction, one of the manifestations of a depressive or anxiety disorder, accompany other mental conditions, and also occur against the background of certain somatic diseases, hormonal changes, taking medications or using psychoactive substances.
What is important to know
Most people experience periods of sadness or low mood from time to time. Not only the unpleasant experiences themselves are important, but also their duration, severity and impact on everyday life.
When assessing the condition, the specialist usually pays attention to whether other changes have appeared simultaneously: decreased interest and pleasure, fatigue, sleep or appetite disturbances, difficulty concentrating, irritability, anxiety, feelings of guilt or helplessness.
It is also important to consider the context. Feeling depressed after a difficult event can be a natural emotional reaction, but even an understandable reason does not preclude the need to seek help if the condition becomes prolonged or significantly impairs quality of life.
What to pay attention to
Useful to evaluate:
how long ago the depressed mood appeared and whether it is present most of the day;
whether it occurs daily or periodically;
Has interest in activities that previously brought you pleasure decreased?
whether sleep, appetite, energy levels, or physical activity have changed;
whether it has become more difficult to concentrate, make decisions, or perform usual tasks;
whether expressed anxiety, irritability, feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness have appeared;
how much the condition interferes with work, school, relationships, recreation, and self-care;
whether its appearance coincided with the start or change in dosage of medications, illness, use of alcohol or other substances;
whether significant stressful or traumatic events have occurred recently.
What can help
With a moderate and short-term decrease in mood, it is useful to maintain a regular sleep and eating schedule, maintain feasible physical activity, do not completely give up communication and usual activities, and reduce alcohol consumption.
If your mood remains depressed, it is important not to limit yourself to just trying to “pull yourself together.” It is better to discuss the cause of the condition with a specialist.
When to ask for help
It is recommended that you consult a doctor or mental health professional if your depressed mood persists for about two weeks or longer, gets worse, recurs regularly, or noticeably affects your work, relationships, sleep, eating, or ability to care for yourself.
Consultation is also necessary if severe anxiety, significant loss of energy, loss of interest in life, or other persistent changes in mental status are simultaneously present. If physical symptoms are present, your doctor may recommend additional testing to rule out physical causes.
If you have thoughts of death, suicide, or self-harm, seek immediate medical attention.
This information does not replace an individual medical consultation.
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