Understanding Low Mood
A low mood is something most people experience at different points in life, but it isn’t always easy to understand. It’s not as simple as being either “just sad” or “clinically depressed.” Research shows that low mood sits on a spectrum, and how we experience it can vary a lot from person to person. While it is human to experience the full range of emotions from high spirits to low moods, sometimes we present ourselves as happy and active to fit within social norms and leaving ourselves vulnerable to the reasons behind our sadness.
What causes low mood?
Often, it’s linked to everyday life. Stress, relationship problems, loneliness, or feeling misunderstood can all play a big role. Rather than being purely a medical issue, low mood is often connected to what’s happening socially and emotionally. For example, feeling isolated or constantly trying to “fit in” can wear people down over time.
What causes low mood? Am I Feeling Down, or Is There More to It?
Low moods does not always mean crying or having a frown on your face. Many people describe feeling tired, unmotivated, flat, irritable, overwhelmed, or disconnected. We may engage in avoidance behaviors; staying in bed, “doomscrolling” (spending large amounts of time on social media). Research by Bröer and Besseling (2017) found that in everyday life, people rarely label these feelings as “depression” right away—they often see them as a normal reaction to what’s going on around them.
At the same time, a low mood can look very different depending on the individual. A study by Jordan and colleagues (2020) on autistic adults showed that some people don’t feel “sad” at all—instead, they describe feeling empty, numb, or like they’re “floating.” Others may struggle to even identify or explain what they’re feeling. This means low moods are not always obvious, either to others or to the person experiencing it.
When Should You Pay Extra Attention?
A low mood becomes more concerning when it sticks around for more than two weeks or starts to affect daily life. Some signs that may warrant extra attention: losing interest in things you usually enjoy, withdrawing from others, struggling to function at work or school, or feeling unable to process your own emotions.
Low mood is common and often linked to life circumstances, but it deserves attention when it becomes persistent, overwhelming, or hard to manage alone. Learn to recognize the signs early and respond by reaching out. Talk to a friend, a professional, or a support service.
References
Bröer, C., & Besseling, B. (2017). Sadness or depression: Making sense of low mood and the medicalization of everyday life. Social Science & Medicine, 183, 28-36.
Jordan, A. L., Marczak, M., & Knibbs, J. (2021). ‘I felt like I was floating in space’: autistic adults’ experiences of low mood and depression. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(5), 1683-1694.
Written by Justin (Ching) Chan, Provisional Counsellor
Artwork by Suxim Yang
