In brief
Feeling sad, flat or unmotivated. Short spells are part of life, but low mood on most days for 2 weeks or more can be depression, which is common and treatable.
- Seek help if you have felt sad, teary or overwhelmed most of the time for 2 weeks or more.
- Exercise is one of the lifestyle changes used to treat depression.
- Medical conditions can affect how the brain regulates mood, and low mood is a symptom of an underactive thyroid.
When to get help
Get help now
- If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000).
- To talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
See your doctor if
- You are feeling sad, teary or overwhelmed most of the time.
- These feelings have been with you for 2 weeks or more.
- Your low mood affects how you cope at home, work or school.
Things that can contribute
- Stressful life events
- Family history
- Alcohol and other drugs
- Long-term illness
Questions you could ask your GP
- Could this be depression, and what treatments might suit me?
- Could a physical cause, such as thyroid or iron levels, be contributing?
- Would a mental health treatment plan help me see a psychologist?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Depression. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
Depression affects how you feel, think and behave, and it has physical symptoms too, such as changes in sleep and appetite and feeling run down. Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed is a key sign.
healthdirect advises seeking help early, because the sooner symptoms are addressed, the better the outcome is likely to be. Your GP is a good place to start.
Connections
10 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Low mood and low motivation is linked with
- Chronic stress (allostatic load) Supported
Stress can be triggered by different life experiences, and chronic stress could be a sign of depression.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Stress
- Serotonin Supported
Antidepressants are thought to work by affecting brain chemicals such as serotonin and noradrenaline, though this is not fully understood.
- Dopamine Supported
Parkinson's disease, which involves low dopamine in some nerve cells, mainly affects movement and mood.
People with major depression have low mood on most days for at least 2 weeks.
Feeling sad or depressed is an emotional symptom of PMS.
- Alcohol Supported
Drug and alcohol use can be both a cause and a consequence of depression.
Low mood and low motivation can be caused by
Low mood, depression or lack of motivation are symptoms of an underactive thyroid.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Menopause Supported
Anxiety, low mood or mood swings and difficulty concentrating can happen during menopause.
Low mood and low motivation can be worsened by
- Trouble sleeping Supported
Being tired can affect your mood, according to healthdirect.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Sleep
Low mood and low motivation can be eased by
Exercise is one of the lifestyle changes used to treat depression, according to healthdirect.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 12 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.