Low mood and depression can involve thoughts, routines, relationships, physical health and circumstances that differ from person to person. An individual assessment can explore what is happening now, what may be contributing and whether CBT informed support or another source of help is relevant. A webpage cannot establish a diagnosis, recommend a technique or predict an outcome. Physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep changes, appetite change, pain or concentration difficulties can have many possible causes, including physical health conditions, medication, grief, neurodivergence and other factors. New, severe or changing physical symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional rather than automatically attributed to depression. Low mood can be connected with depression, anxiety, burnout, grief, trauma, physical health conditions, medication or life circumstances. An assessment can consider the full picture rather than assuming a single explanation. People often describe this experience before they use a clinical label. Someone may search for help because they “just feel low”, because nothing feels enjoyable any more, or because they think they should be grateful yet feel unlike themselves. These phrases can be a starting point for a conversation, not a diagnosis or a conclusion about what support is right. An assessment can explore the wider context, including sleep, physical health, medication, pressure, loss and how long a change has been present. New, severe or changing physical symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate medical professional. CBT informed ideas may be discussed in a collaborative assessment, alongside practical questions about current circumstances, safety, previous support and personal priorities. Depending on the person, a clinician might talk about thoughts, activity, routines, problem solving or self criticism. Any exercise or between session work should be agreed individually rather than treated as a self directed prescription. For related information, see low mood and depression therapy at /therapy/low mood/, postnatal depression therapy at /therapy/postnatal depression/, depression in West London at /guides/depression in west london/ and public and private therapy routes at /guides/nhs vs private therapy west london/. The Lyceum Clinic offers an initial conversation for adults considering CBT based support in West London or online. Current availability, location arrangements and whether the service is appropriate for your needs should be checked directly. This does not commit you to a particular treatment plan, duration or outcome. What a CBT based assessment may explore An assessment may consider the history of low mood, its impact on daily life, relationships, work and safety, physical health, medication, sleep, substance use and the person's own goals. It should not assume a single cause or a fixed treatment plan. Where appropriate, a clinician may discuss activity patterns, avoidance, self critical thoughts, relationships and practical pressures. Any between session work should be agreed individually and should not be treated as a self directed mood management programme. Urgent safety boundaries If low mood is connected with thoughts of self harm, an inability to stay safe, a sudden marked deterioration or acute physical symptoms, seek urgent appropriate help. In immediate danger, call 999 or attend A&E. For related information, see low mood and depression therapy at /therapy/low mood/, postnatal depression therapy at /therapy/postnatal depression/, depression in West London at /guides/depression in west london/ and signs CBT could help at /guides/signs cbt could help you/.