Should I read this page, or get help now?
If low mood has lasted more than 2 weeks or is getting in the way of daily life, this page explains NHS options and what not to do. Skip it and get urgent help if you have thoughts of suicide or cannot keep yourself safe: call 999, NHS 111, Samaritans on 116 123, or text SHOUT on 85258.
This article is for adults who need a clear, practical path. It cannot diagnose you, and it is not written as a crisis plan. If you are in immediate danger, stay with someone if you can and use the numbers above rather than reading on.
If you are supporting someone else, keep reading for how to help — but if they are unsafe now, those same crisis routes come first.
How is depression different from a low mood that will pass?
Depression is a low mood that lasts for weeks or months and affects daily life, not a bad day or a short dip after a setback. The NHS also highlights loss of interest or enjoyment in things you usually care about. Ordinary sadness usually lifts. Depression stays, spreads into sleep, energy, appetite and concentration, and makes ordinary tasks feel heavy.
A low mood can still be miserable. The difference is persistence and impact. The NHS advises seeing a GP if symptoms are there most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks. You do not have to wait until you cannot get out of bed.
Depression is an illness, not a lack of willpower. You cannot reliably “snap out of it”, and needing help is not a character judgement. Many people cope for a long time without noticing how unwell they have become. Sometimes a partner, friend or colleague spots the change first.
What signs should I look for in myself or someone else?
Look for a cluster of changes that last, not one bad night. The NHS groups symptoms as psychological, physical and social. You are unlikely to have every item on the list. What matters is how long they last and how much they interfere with work, family and the things you used to enjoy.
| Area | Examples the NHS lists | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological | Continuous low mood, hopelessness, low self-esteem, tearfulness, guilt, irritability, no motivation, indecision, no enjoyment, anxiety, thoughts of suicide or self-harm | These are the core of the illness, not “overthinking” |
| Physical | Moving or speaking more slowly, appetite or weight change, constipation, unexplained aches, lack of energy, low sex drive, disturbed sleep including early waking | Depression often lives in the body as well as the mind |
| Social | Avoiding friends, dropping hobbies, difficulties at home or work | Life shrinking is a clinical sign, not a lifestyle choice |
Doctors describe adult depression as less severe (mild) or more severe (moderate or severe), based on how bad symptoms are, how long they last, and the impact on daily life. A few people with severe depression have symptoms of psychosis. You will usually be asked a set of questions, such as a PHQ-9, to help judge severity. That questionnaire is a tool, not a verdict you should treat as a diagnosis at home.
Other patterns the NHS describes include postnatal depression, bipolar disorder (depression plus periods of unusually high mood), seasonal affective disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Those need their own assessment. Do not assume a winter slump is “just the weather” if it is stopping you functioning.
When should I see a GP about depression?
See a GP if low mood or loss of interest lasts more than 2 weeks, keeps returning, or is affecting work, study or relationships. In England you can also refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. Seek urgent help if you have thoughts of suicide, cannot keep yourself safe, or someone you care for is at risk.
A GP visit is useful even if you plan to self-refer, because depression can overlap with thyroid problems, anaemia, side effects of other medicines, and alcohol use. Be as honest as you can, including about alcohol, sleep and any thoughts of harming yourself. That information changes the safety plan, not how “deserving” you are of care.
If you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, tell your midwife, GP or health visitor. Postnatal depression can affect mothers, fathers and partners, and it is treated with talking therapies and, when needed, antidepressants in a similar way to other depression.
What treatment does the NHS offer?
Treatment is usually a mix of self-help, talking therapies and, for more severe depression, antidepressants. The NHS matches treatment to how severe the depression is. You can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies in England. Waiting times can be several weeks or months, so ask what support you can use while you wait.
For less severe (mild) depression, a GP may suggest:
- Watchful waiting — a short period to see if things improve, with a review after 2 to 4 weeks.
- Guided self-help — usually 6 to 8 sessions working through a workbook or online course with therapist support, often based on CBT.
- Exercise — the NHS describes exercise as one of the main treatments for mild depression, and you may be referred to a group class designed to help.
- Talking therapies such as CBT or counselling if mild depression is not improving.
For moderate or severe depression, a GP may recommend antidepressants, often combined with talking therapy. The NHS says a combination of an antidepressant and CBT usually works better than either alone when depression is quite severe. Severe depression may also mean referral to a mental health team of psychologists, psychiatrists, specialist nurses and occupational therapists.
Talking therapies used on the NHS include CBT, interpersonal therapy, behavioural activation, counselling, psychodynamic psychotherapy, problem-solving, and behavioural couples therapy when relationship problems are part of the picture. NICE also lists group mindfulness as an option for less severe depression.
Should I try antidepressants, talking therapy, or both?
For milder depression, talking therapy, guided self-help and activity often come first. For more severe depression, the NHS often uses an antidepressant plus therapy. There is no single best medicine. SSRIs such as sertraline, fluoxetine and citalopram are the usual first prescription in adults. Do not start, stop or share someone else’s tablets.
If an antidepressant is prescribed, NHS advice includes:
- seeing a GP or specialist nurse regularly at the start to check it is helping
- contacting a GP straight away if hopelessness or suicidal thoughts start or worsen after beginning treatment
- expecting that symptoms often start to improve within 4 weeks
- continuing, if it is working, for at least 4 to 6 months after symptoms have eased, and longer if you have had depression before
- not stopping suddenly, because withdrawal can include stomach upset, flu-like symptoms, anxiety, dizziness, vivid dreams and electric-shock sensations
SSRIs are not usually first-line for people under 18. Fluoxetine is the SSRI that can be used in that age group, and only with specialist agreement, because of a higher risk of self-harm and suicidal behaviour in under-18s.
Other options exist if the first medicine does not help, including a different antidepressant, adding a specialist medicine such as lithium, or, for depression that has not responded, brain stimulation treatments arranged by a specialist. Those decisions are not DIY.
What should I not do while I wait for help?
Do not isolate yourself, drink more to blot it out, or stop prescribed antidepressants suddenly. Do not wait for a crisis before asking for help. Keep a simple daily structure and tell one person how you are. If you feel unsafe, use 999, NHS 111, Samaritans on 116 123, or SHOUT on 85258.
Get up, eat something, and go outside if you can, even briefly. Hoping it will pass overnight is understandable and often wrong. If nights are the worst time, save the crisis numbers in your phone before you need them.
Also avoid:
- St John’s wort as a substitute. The NHS says doctors do not recommend it. Strength varies, and it can cause serious problems with other medicines, including the contraceptive pill.
- Comparing your symptoms with someone who “looks worse”. Severity is about impact and risk, not who has the most dramatic story.
- Making big irreversible decisions about jobs, relationships or money in the middle of a severe episode if they can wait until you have support.
- Using an app as your only plan if you are at risk of suicide. Digital tools can sit alongside care; they do not replace urgent human help.
If NHS therapy waits feel long, ask about guided self-help, groups and digital CBT, which often start sooner. Some workplaces have an employee assistance programme. Mind can help you find local support.
How can I help someone who is depressed?
Stay in contact, listen without judgement, and help them book a GP appointment or NHS Talking Therapies referral. Offer practical help — a lift, a meal, sitting in the waiting room — rather than pep talks. Take any talk of suicide or self-harm seriously and help them get urgent support. Look after your own rest too.
Living with someone who is depressed can feel lonely. Keep gentle routines, share small activities without pressure, and notice small steps. You are not responsible for curing them. If you are a carer, ask about local carers’ support.
If they refuse help, you can still call NHS 111 for advice on what to do next. If they are in immediate danger, call 999.
Is grief the same as depression?
No. Grief is a natural response to loss. Depression is an illness. They can look similar, and bereavement can lead to depression, but the NHS notes that suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and feeling hopeless or guilt-ridden are not typical of ordinary grief. If those appear, or low mood is not easing with time, see a GP.
People who are grieving may still need support — from family, a GP, counselling or a bereavement service. Seeking help does not mean you are “doing grief wrong”. It means you are not being asked to carry it without tools.
This article touches on mental health. If you are struggling, support is available right now and you deserve it.
Common questions about depression
- What are the signs of depression?
- Depression can cause a persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in things, tiredness, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and a lack of motivation. Symptoms last for weeks or more, rather than passing after a day or two.
- How is depression different from feeling sad?
- Everyone feels low sometimes, and that usually lifts. Depression is more persistent and pervasive — it lasts, affects many areas of life, and can make everyday things feel difficult. If low mood is lasting and getting in the way of life, it is worth seeking help.
- What treatments are available?
- Effective options include talking therapies such as CBT, lifestyle support (exercise, routine, sleep and social connection), and antidepressant medication for some people. A GP can help you choose, and treatments are often combined.
- Does depression get better?
- Yes. Depression is very treatable, and most people improve with the right support. It can take time, and finding the right approach may involve trying more than one thing, but recovery is the expected outcome.
- How do I know if I'm depressed?
- Everyone feels low sometimes, but depression is a low mood or loss of interest that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or more, alongside things like poor sleep, low energy, or feelings of worthlessness. Free self-checks such as the PHQ-9 questionnaire and the NHS mood self-assessment can help you describe how you feel, although they are not a diagnosis. If symptoms persist, see a GP.
- How can I help someone with depression?
- Let them know you are there and willing to listen without judging or rushing to fix things. Gently encourage them to see a GP or refer to NHS talking therapies, and offer practical help such as going along to an appointment. Keep in touch, be patient, and look after yourself too. If they ever mention suicide or self-harm, take it seriously and help them get urgent support.
- What is it like living with someone who has depression?
- It can be hard, and at times lonely, to live with someone who is depressed. Try to be patient, keep gentle routines going, and share small activities without pressure. Encourage treatment and notice small steps forward. Make time for your own rest and support, and consider a carers group. Get urgent help if they talk about not wanting to be alive.
- Can I get NHS treatment without a GP?
- In England, adults can usually refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for depression without a GP. A GP is still important if you may need antidepressants, a physical health check, or more specialist care. If you are under 18, use children and young people's services rather than the adult self-referral route.
- Are antidepressants addictive?
- The NHS says antidepressants are not addictive in the same way illegal drugs and cigarettes are, but you can get withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly or miss doses. A GP will advise you to reduce gradually. Contact a doctor if withdrawal feels severe or is not settling.
- Is St John's wort a safe alternative?
- Doctors do not recommend St John's wort as a treatment. Strength varies between products, and it can interact with medicines including the contraceptive pill, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and anticoagulants. Do not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.