Most people feel low and tearful sometimes. The NHS says a low mood often gets better after a few days or weeks. Stress, loss, money or relationship worries and illness are common triggers. The HSE says you can also feel low without an obvious reason.
Crying a lot can be part of many things. These include grief, anxiety, hormone changes and the months after having a baby. It is also a symptom of depression. Both the NHS and HSE list "feeling tearful" among its signs.
The NHS says a low mood that lasts 2 weeks or more could be a sign of depression. If that sounds like you, or you are struggling to cope, see a GP. Depression is treatable, and you do not need to know the cause to ask for help.
Get help now
Call 112 or 999 in Ireland, 999 in the UK or 911 in the US, or go to an emergency department, if:
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, talk to someone now:
If you have had a baby and have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby: contact your GP, midwife or public health nurse urgently. In the UK, contact your GP, midwife or health visitor, or call 111. Go to an emergency department if you cannot get an urgent appointment.
See a GP if:
The NHS describes a general low mood as feeling sad, anxious, angry, frustrated or low in confidence. It can make you tired or disturb your sleep. It is usually possible to improve it with small changes, such as sorting out something that is bothering you or getting more sleep.
Depression is different. The HSE says it is more than feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. It says you feel sad for weeks or months, and it is "not something you can 'snap out of'".
The NHS and HSE list these among the signs of depression:
The NHS says depression often comes on gradually, so it can be hard to notice. It can take a friend or family member to suggest something is wrong.
For how depression is diagnosed and which treatments have the best evidence, read depression: what actually works.
The NHS and HSE list things that can lower your mood:
The NHS says even big life events, such as buying a house, having a baby or planning a wedding, can bring feelings of sadness. The HSE says low mood can also be linked to stress.
The NHS lists "overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying" among the signs of grief. It says feelings may not be there all the time, and powerful feelings can appear unexpectedly. Loss is not only death. It can be the end of a relationship, or losing a job or home.
The HSE explains one difference from depression. In grief, sadness tends to come and go, and you can still enjoy things and look forward. In depression, you always feel sad and find it hard to be positive about the future. The NHS says some people do develop depression after a bereavement. Read more in grief and your brain.
The NHS lists "feeling tearful" among the mental symptoms of anxiety, alongside feeling tense, being unable to relax and sleeping badly. Low mood and anxiety often come together.
The NHS and HSE both say being cut off from family and friends can increase the risk of depression.
The HSE says some people feel low or depressed after drinking. It calls alcohol a depressant, and says using it to cope can make depression worse. Both the NHS and HSE say cannabis can raise the risk of depression, particularly in young people.
The NHS lists mood swings, feeling depressed or irritable, and feeling upset, anxious or emotional among common premenstrual symptoms. In premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the HSE says symptoms are severe. They can include feeling depressed, hopeless or overwhelmed, and thoughts of suicide. If your low mood follows your cycle, track it and show your GP.
The HSE says postnatal and perinatal depression affects 10 to 15% of women. It can start any time in the first year after birth, or during pregnancy. The HSE lists "crying easily" among the symptoms. It says symptoms may start as the baby blues and then get worse.
The HSE says family and friends may notice before you do. Our postpartum depression guide explains the difference between the baby blues, postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis.
The NHS lists mood swings, low mood and depression among menopause symptoms. It says these may feel worse with poor sleep and tiredness. It also says menopause can sometimes trigger depression, especially in the first few years. Mental health symptoms caused by the menopause are different from depression, so mention both to your GP.
The HSE describes seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as depression that follows the seasons. It usually starts in autumn or winter and improves in spring. Its signs include a persistent low mood and feeling tearful.
Thyroid problems. The NHS lists low mood or depression among underactive thyroid symptoms. The HSE says an overactive thyroid also increases the risk of depression. A GP can check with a blood test. See our guide to the thyroid function test.
Long-term or serious illness. The NHS and HSE say long or life-threatening illnesses raise the risk of depression. Examples include heart disease, stroke and cancer. Long-term pain can too.
Head injury. The NHS and HSE say a severe head injury can trigger mood swings and emotional problems.
The HSE says that in bipolar disorder, spells of depression alternate with spells of high mood (mania). If your low periods are broken up by times of unusual energy, little need for sleep or risky behaviour, tell your GP. Read our guide to bipolar disorder in adults.
The NHS and HSE say there are no physical tests for depression. A GP will ask questions about how you feel and how it affects your life. They will also ask about:
A GP may use a questionnaire. They may also do blood or urine tests to rule out conditions with similar symptoms, such as an underactive thyroid.
Both say what you tell your GP is confidential. The only exception is if there is a significant risk of harm to you or others, and telling a family member would reduce that risk.
The HSE says your GP is the first step to treatments such as self-help, talk therapy or medicine. For mild depression, it says a GP may suggest physical activity, self-help books or online CBT, and check in after 2 weeks. For mild to moderate depression, a GP may refer you for talk therapy, but you do not usually need a referral. The HSE suggests choosing a therapist accredited by a body such as the IACP or the Psychological Society of Ireland.
For moderate to severe depression, the HSE says a GP may suggest antidepressants, talk therapy or both. You may be referred to a mental health team.
Aware offers a freephone support line on 1800 80 48 48, 10am to 10pm every day.
The NHS says a GP can refer you for talking therapies. If you are 18 or over (16 in some areas), you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP. It says waits can be several weeks or months.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988. Otherwise, talk to your doctor about how you are feeling.
The NHS and HSE suggest:
The HSE also suggests challenging unhelpful thoughts, for example by asking what you would say to a friend who had the same thought. If you are worried about someone else, our guide to getting help in a mental health crisis in Ireland explains each option.
There is often a reason that is hard to see, such as built-up stress, grief, poor sleep or hormone changes. The HSE says you can feel low without an obvious reason. If crying comes with low mood most days for over 2 weeks, see a GP.
It can be. The NHS and HSE list feeling tearful among depression symptoms. But crying is also common with grief, anxiety and hormone changes. What matters is how long it lasts and how it affects your life.
The NHS says a low mood lasting 2 weeks or more could be a sign of depression. See a GP sooner if you are struggling to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself.
Yes. The NHS lists feeling upset or emotional among common premenstrual symptoms, and low mood among menopause symptoms. The HSE lists crying easily as a sign of postnatal depression.
Tell someone today. In Ireland, freephone Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta on 1800 247 247, or text 50808. In the UK, call 116 123. In the US, call or text 988. If you are at immediate risk, call 112, 999 or 911.
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot diagnose the cause of your symptoms. Talk to your GP about your own symptoms, and before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026