Depression and Therapy
Low mood does not always look like sadness. It can feel like numbness, exhaustion, self-criticism, withdrawal, or the sense that even small things take too much effort.
You may still be getting through the day. That does not mean that nothing is difficult.
Low mood can be hard to recognise
Sometimes there is a clear reason: a loss, a relationship, pressure at work, loneliness or a major change. Sometimes the feeling develops more quietly. You may simply notice that things which once mattered no longer feel close, or that you are using all your energy to keep going.
When life feels heavier
You may notice that:
- you feel flat, numb or far away from yourself
- rest does not feel restorative
- small tasks feel disproportionately difficult
- you withdraw from people or things that matter to you
- you judge yourself harshly for not coping better
There is not one right description
The words “depression” and “low mood” can be useful for some people and unhelpful for others. You do not have to decide which label fits before taking your experience seriously.
For LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent people, the long effort of masking, being misunderstood, or finding enough room to be yourself can be part of the wider context too.
