“He's been down for months”

What could be going on

Withdrawn and low for weeks: Withdrawn and low for weeks fits his pattern; check sleep, appetite and lost interests.

Major depression: Months of low mood with lost pleasure could be depression; check for two-week episodes.

Covert depression in men (Terry Real): In men it may show as irritability, work or drinking; check those rather than sadness.

Grief (complicated, disenfranchised, anticipatory): Fits if there was a loss; check for a death, job loss or ending.

Burnout: Long overload can look like low mood; check whether it lifts on holiday.

Warning signs of suicide risk and self-harm: Check whether he talks of hopelessness, being a burden, or gives things away.

Also said as

• my husband has been low for ages
• she's been depressed since spring
• my dad seems really flat lately
• my partner's been sad and withdrawn for months
• he's not himself, quiet and low for weeks
• my partner has been depressed for months