Everyone faces moments of sadness in their lives, but when these symptoms of low mood become persistent and prevent someone from functioning normally in daily life, this may signal depression and require further medical attention.
Persistent low mood can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as hormonal imbalances as part of ageing (andropause), or other undiagnosed chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, HIV/AIDS, or autoimmune diseases such as arthritis or lupus. Early investigations and treatment of these conditions can reverse mood changes and help one return to normalcy in their lives.
If the symptoms are due to a primary mood disorder like depression, this can be managed with psychological therapy and medications to help rebalance certain chemicals in the brain.