Disclosed are a display apparatus capable of changing a refresh period to improve response characteristics under a low-speed operation mode, and a method for operating the apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display panel; and a panel driving circuit configured to drive the display panel, wherein in a low-speed operation mode, the apparatus is configured to control the panel driving circuit to: perform multiple refreshes during an initial period of the first frame; and, after the multiple refreshes, change a refresh period and perform refreshes based on the changed refresh period.