What causes low mood?

Feeling down can be a normal response to bereavement, conflict, loneliness, work pressure or another major change. Ongoing low mood may occur with depression, generalised anxiety disorder, burnout or insomnia. Alcohol can worsen mood and sleep, and alcohol use disorder can make the cycle harder to break. Physical contributors include an underactive thyroid, long-term illness, pain and exhaustion. The pattern matters: loss of interest, hopelessness, guilt, appetite change or difficulty concentrating can signal a condition needing assessment.

Track mood, sleep, alcohol or other substance use, and events that make symptoms better or worse. Keep a regular sleep and meal routine, take brief outdoor activity if able, and tell someone you trust how you are feeling. A clinician can discuss talking therapies, medicines, sleep support or tests for physical causes. If alcohol is difficult to reduce, seek professional help rather than stopping suddenly when heavy use may have created withdrawal risk.

Book an appointment when low mood lasts, interferes with work or relationships, or comes with loss of interest, marked sleep change or difficulty functioning. Seek urgent help if you might harm yourself, cannot stay safe, hear or see things others do not, or feel unable to care for basic needs. If someone tells you they may self-harm, stay with them when possible and contact emergency services or a crisis service.

Could my sleep, alcohol use, medicines or thyroid explain this? Does my pattern fit depression, anxiety or burnout? What support is available now, and what should I do if my safety worsens?