Depression and low mood at a Glance
Most common causes
- Persistent low mood or sadness
- Loss of interest or enjoyment
- Tiredness and low energy
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
When to seek medical attention
- Low mood most days for two weeks or more
- Daily life becoming difficult
- Withdrawing from people
- Loss of interest in things you valued
- Any thoughts of self-harm (reach out straight away)
Specialist: Dr Plabon Saikia · Psychiatry
What is Depression and low mood?
Depression is more than feeling sad for a short while. It is a persistent low mood, often with a loss of interest or pleasure in daily life, that lasts for weeks and affects how you think, feel, sleep, eat and function. It can affect anyone, for many reasons, and it is genuinely a health condition — not a personal failing or something to simply "snap out of." The most important thing to know is that depression is very treatable. With the right support, the vast majority of people recover and feel like themselves again.
Common Causes
In Mood
- • Persistent sadness
- • Emptiness
- • Hopelessness
- • Irritability
In Interest & Energy
- • Losing interest in things once enjoyed
- • Tiredness
- • Everything feeling like an effort
In Body & Sleep
- • Changes in sleep and appetite
- • Aches
- • Feeling slowed down
In Thinking
- • Difficulty concentrating
- • Negative thoughts
- • Feeling worthless or guilty
Signs It's Time to Reach Out
- ▸ Have felt low or lost interest most days for two weeks or more
- ▸ Are finding it hard to manage work, study or daily tasks
- ▸ Have withdrawn from people or activities you valued
- ▸ Feel persistently hopeless, worthless or overwhelmed
- ▸ Are sleeping or eating very differently
- ▸ Have any thoughts of harming yourself — please reach out for help straight away
If you are struggling right now: you don’t have to face this alone. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or feel unable to stay safe, please reach out for help straight away — talk to someone you trust, contact a doctor, or call India’s national mental-health helpline Tele-MANAS on 14416 (toll-free). Support is available, and reaching out is a brave and important step.
How Doctors Evaluate Depression and low mood
A consultation is a calm, confidential and non-judgemental conversation. It may include: understanding how you’ve been feeling and what’s going on in your life, gently checking on your wellbeing and safety, ruling out physical contributors (such as thyroid problems) when relevant, and agreeing a way forward together. Support may involve talking-based therapy, lifestyle steps, and medication when appropriate — always discussed openly, at your pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depression and low mood Care in Guwahati
Patients from Beltola, GS Road, Dispur, Ganeshguri, Six Mile, Christian Basti, Zoo Road and Hengrabari can consult our Psychiatry specialist at Healthwrx. A safe, private and non-judgemental space, close to home.
Related Pages
Common Questions
When should someone seek help for low mood?
When low mood or loss of interest lasts most days for two weeks or more, or affects daily life. If there are any thoughts of self-harm, reach out for help straight away.
Which doctor treats depression?
A psychiatrist provides assessment and compassionate, confidential treatment for depression and low mood.
Can depression be treated successfully?
Yes. Depression is very treatable, and with the right support the vast majority of people recover and feel like themselves again.