When to worry about low mood with Depression

Depression can affect enjoyment, sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, movement, and self-worth as well as mood. Symptoms may be steady or fluctuate, and improvement can be uneven. A sudden worsening, new agitation, or feeling unable to cope deserves attention even if you are already receiving treatment.

Low mood can have more than one contributor. Your clinician can review the diagnosis, medicines, physical health, sleep, substance use, and stresses rather than treating one symptom in isolation.

Contact your treating clinician if symptoms are not improving, return after improvement, or interfere with eating, sleeping, work, or relationships. Continue prescribed medicine as directed unless a clinician advises a change, and tell a trusted person how you are feeling. Keep a brief record of mood, sleep, appetite, and medication changes.

Seek emergency help now if you have a plan or intention to harm yourself, have recently self-harmed, feel unable to stay safe, or experience severe confusion or loss of contact with reality. Seek prompt medical review for marked deterioration, inability to manage basic needs, or severe medication effects.

Ask whether your treatment needs review, how to manage side effects, and what warning signs should trigger urgent contact. Share any suicidal thoughts directly, including whether you have a plan, access to means, or support nearby.