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Low mood 

Low mood
Chapter:
Low mood
Author(s):

Jane Walker

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780198746690.003.0624
Page of

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date: 05 March 2021

Low mood is a very common symptom that is often considered a normal, understandable reaction to serious, disabling, or disfiguring illnesses or treatment. While low mood may indeed be part of the adjustment to adverse circumstances, it may also be the presentation of serious psychiatric and medical illnesses requiring active treatment. The most common of these is major depressive disorder, which is a complicating illness in about 10 per cent of patients with chronic medical conditions. Simple questioning can clarify the diagnosis, but sometimes a more detailed psychiatric and medical assessment is required so that the appropriate treatment can be provided.

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