Low mood


What is Low Mood?

Most people, children as well as adults, feel low or “blue” occasionally.  Feeling sad is a normal reaction to experiences that are stressful or upsetting,

When these feelings continue for a long time or start to dominate and interfere with life, it can become an illness, which we call depression.  Depression is less common in children under 12 years old, but increases after that, affecting 5 in every 100 teenagers.

What are some common signs of low mood?

  • Being moody and irritable, easily upset, “ratty” or tearful
  • Becoming withdrawn – avoiding friends, family and regular activities
  • Feelings of guilt, self-criticism, self hate and self blame
  • Feeling unhappy, miserable and lonely a lot of the time
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Change or lack of interest in physical appearance
  • Changes in sleep pattern – sleeping too little or too much
  • Tiredness and lack of energy
  • Changes in appetite
  • Frequent minor health problems, such as headaches or stomach-aches
  • Lack of interest or enjoyment in previously enjoyed activities
  • Suicidal ideation

Woman at window depressed

What you can do

If your child has all or most of these signs and has had them over a long period of time, it may mean that they are depressed.  They may find it very difficult to talk about how they are feeling.

  • Reassure them that it is ok to feel low or down at times.
  • If they are going through something such as a bereavement or parental separation, reassure them that their low mood is a normal reaction to a life-changing event.
  • Encourage them to talk to you, or someone else they trust, about how they feel.
  • Try to find out if there is anything causing them to feel low - if there is, support them to reduce any pressures that are impacting on their mood.
  • Encourage them to participate in social activities, as this can help to reduce the chance of low mood developing into depression.
  • Encourage them to get plenty of exercise and make time for relaxation, as these can help improve mood.

What to do if you are still concerned

 

  • Please contact your health visitor, school, GP or other professional involved with your family

Videos

Great Ormond Street resources

 

Sadness and worry Sadness and worry | Great Ormond Street Charity (gosh.org)

Downloaded activity sheet Sometimes_I_Am_Worried.pdf (gosh.org)

 

Downloaded activity sheet The_Crocodile_Who_Didnt_Like_Water.pdf (gosh.org)

 

 

Recommended Apps

Suitable for age: 3+

Practice daily meditation and mindfulness exercises. Mindfulness for all ages – adults, kids, young people, families and classrooms.  Helps with anxiety and overall mental wellbeing. Using mindfulness and meditation to help young people and their parents and carers focus on areas such as stress, relationships, sleep, and concentration. 

 

Headspace

 

Suitable for: Any age 

Children's meditations are separated into age groups: 5 and under, 6 to 8, 9 to 12, 12+  Headspace is a science-backed app in mindfulness and meditation. Learn to reduce stress, build resilience and sleep more peacefully through age specific mindfulness and meditation. After the free trial there is a subscription fee.

Cove

Suitable for age: 4+.

Described as a musical journal for your mental health. Using music you can capture your feelings and emotions in sound to create a musical mood journal. Helps with anxiety, using journaling and melodies to improve mood. 

Resources

             

Below are links to a website that has some great resources for understanding what low mood and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is.

 

There are also some self help guides for breathing and calming techniques along with lots more:

https://weheartcbt.com/low-mood 

Self-Help (weheartcbt.com)