Symptoms of a general low mood may include feeling:

> sad
> anxious or panicky
> more tired than usual
> being unable to sleep
> angry or frustrated
> low on confidence or self-esteem

All forms of mental distress arise because, in one way or another, people’s physical or emotional needs are not being met.

Our essential needs and our innate resources to help meet them – the ‘givens’ of human nature – are at the heart of the human givens approach. If all our needs are met in balance, making us confident about our place in the world and the people we connect with, we don’t suffer from disabling conditions, such as anxiety and stress, depression, addictions, phobias or panic attacks.

From the human givens perspective, mental health is perceived to exist on a continuum where increasingly poor need fulfilment will lead to dissatisfaction, stress, and mental health problems respectively.

If needs aren’t met, it can readily be conceived how a low mood or symptoms of poor mental health would ensue