Low mood: Depression

Low mood can be a sign of depression, but not everyone who experiences low mood is depressed.

Depression affects people in different ways.

Symptoms can include:

• Avoiding friends or social situations
• Feeling miserable, sad and lonely
• Feeling irritable,frustrated and/or angry
• Having no energy and feeling tired
• Eating and sleeping too much or too little
• Not getting pleasure out of things you used to enjoy
• Being self critical and feeling hopeless
• Feelings of self harm

Just because you are experiencing one or more of these doesn’t automatically mean you are depressed, but if these symptoms persist, talk to an adult that you trust and feel safe with.

These symptoms may be a sign that you need some further support. You can talk to your GP or school nurse more about this. Remember that you are not alone, and that there is support out there to help you to manage these feelings.

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: Childline
  
• w: YoungMinds