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.

Much like sadness, it is normal to have bouts of worries or concerns, but extreme levels of anxiousness or worry for a prolonged period of time is not normal. This may be caused by Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and it can make it hard for a person to perform everyday tasks.

People with GAD often feel very worried or “on edge” much of the time, and they may have trouble sleeping or may forget things easily. They may also experience physical symptoms such as feeling very tired, stomach aches or chest tightness.

Seeing a doctor early can help to assess the severity of the condition, and allow effective recovery through psychotherapy and medication.

Good sleep is crucial for mental and physical health. Often, poor sleep can affect one’s immunity, hormonal balance, weight, and even mood.

Some common conditions that can affect sleep include:

• Jet lag (change of time zones)
• Mental health conditions (anxiety or depression)
• Undiagnosed medical conditions (andropause or menopause)
• Sleep apnea
• Heart disease
• Thyroid problems

If you suspect that having poor sleep is disrupting your life and health, it is advisable to speak to a medical professional to investigate such issues early so it can be remedied.

Psychosis results in an impaired perception of reality, and may cause a person to experience delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), and impaired cognitive function. This can sometimes be frightening and someone experiencing psychosis can potentially cause harm to themselves or those around them.

Early interventions of psychosis through investigations, medications and appropriate specialist referrals allow one to achieve recovery and return to normalcy of life.