- Sadness
- Feeling anxious or panicky
- Worry
- Tiredness
- Low self-esteem
- Frustration
- Anger
However, a low mood will tend to lift after a few days or weeks, or there will be breaks in between.
Depression
Everyone has spells of feeling down which can be triggered by difficult events or stressful and challenging times in your life.
No one is happy all the time no matter what social media would want us to believe. But depression is more than just spending a few days feeling sad or unhappy.
Depression can make you feel sad and down for weeks or months at a time without a break.
Studies show that around 4% of children and young people in the UK between the ages of 5 and 16 are depressed or anxious.
How do I know if what I’m feeling is depression or low mood? How do I tell the difference?
A general low mood can include:
However, a low mood will tend to lift after a few days or weeks, or there will be breaks in between.
However, a low mood will tend to lift after a few days or weeks, or there will be breaks in between.
A low mood that doesn't go away can be a sign of depression. Symptoms of depression can include the following:
- Low mood lasting for weeks
- Not getting any enjoyment out of life
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling tired or lacking energy
- Not being able to concentrate on everyday things like reading the paper or watching television
- Comfort eating or losing your appetite
- Sleeping more than usual or being unable to sleep
- Having suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming yourself.
How will I know when to get help?
Whether it’s low mood or depression, if negative feelings don't go away, are too much for you to cope with, or are stopping you from carrying on with your normal life, you may need to make some changes and get some extra support.
Talk to someone you trust, e.g. a parent, teacher, youth worker, school nurse or wellbeing worker. If you find this too difficult, visit your GP. Tell them how you’re feeling, they can help you access the support you need and that might mean a referral to CAMHS.
Have a look at some of our recommended resources, Apps and self help tips on our resources pages. A good starting point would be to try to put some strategies in place to help.
Talk to someone you trust, e.g. a parent, teacher, youth worker, school nurse or wellbeing worker. If you find this too difficult, visit your GP. Tell them how you’re feeling, they can help you access the support you need and that might mean a referral to CAMHS.
Have a look at some of our recommended resources, Apps and self help tips on our resources pages. A good starting point would be to try to put some strategies in place to help.