Depression — You Do Not Have to Feel This Way Forever

Depression affects the mind and body in equal measure. Many people are surprised to discover that several of their physical symptoms — pain, fatigue, sleep disruption — are directly linked to their mental health. The most common symptoms our GPs see include:

Psychological Symptoms:

• Persistent low or empty mood — a heaviness that does not lift regardless of what is happening around you
• Complete loss of interest — hobbies, relationships, and activities that once felt meaningful now feel pointless
• Hopelessness about the future — a deep conviction that things cannot or will not get better
• Worthlessness and excessive guilt — feeling like a burden to the people around you
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions — even the smallest choices feel exhausting
• Withdrawing from friends and family — isolating yourself from the people who care about you
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide — if you are experiencing these, please seek help immediately

Physical Symptoms:

• Constant exhaustion — a tiredness that sleep does not fix and that makes every day feel like a struggle
• Disrupted sleep patterns — lying awake for hours, waking in the early hours, or sleeping far too much
• Significant changes in appetite — eating far less or far more than usual, with corresponding weight changes
• Unexplained physical pain — persistent headaches, digestive problems, and body aches with no clear medical cause
• Moving and speaking more slowly — a noticeable slowing down that others around you may notice first
• Complete loss of interest in sex — a reduced or absent libido that puts pressure on relationships

Clinical Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) The most common and most recognised form — characterised by persistent low mood and loss of interest lasting at least 2 weeks that significantly affects daily life. Clinical depression can range from mild to severe and always requires professional assessment and a tailored treatment plan.

Postnatal Depression Affecting approximately 1 in 10 new mothers — and increasingly recognised in new fathers too — postnatal depression goes far beyond the baby blues. It causes persistent sadness, exhaustion, difficulty bonding with the baby, and in severe cases, thoughts of self-harm. Early treatment leads to significantly better outcomes for both parent and child.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) A form of depression that arrives with the darker months — typically between October and March — and lifts as spring returns. SAD affects an estimated 2 million people in the UK every year and can cause the full spectrum of depressive symptoms alongside increased sleep, carbohydrate cravings, and social withdrawal.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) A longer-lasting, lower-intensity form of depression that persists for 2 years or more. Because the symptoms are less dramatic than clinical depression, dysthymia is frequently dismissed, overlooked, and left untreated — despite having an equally significant impact on quality of life over time.

Bipolar Depression The depressive episodes experienced as part of bipolar disorder can be severe and prolonged — and require a different treatment approach from standard depression. Bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of depression and elevated mood or mania and requires specialist psychiatric management alongside GP support.

You should book an online GP appointment if:

• Low mood or emptiness has lasted longer than 2 weeks
• You have stopped enjoying things that used to matter to you
• Depression is affecting your work, relationships, or ability to care for yourself
• You are sleeping far too much or far too little on a persistent basis
• You are turning to alcohol or substances to get through the day
• You have started withdrawing from friends and family
• You are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide — please do not wait, call us now
• You have been through a previous depressive episode and feel it returning

Every person’s experience of depression is different — and our treatment approach reflects that. After a thorough and compassionate assessment of your symptoms and circumstances, your GP may:

✓ Prescribe SSRI antidepressants — the most effective and widely used first-line medication for depression in the UK

✓ Review and adjust existing antidepressant medication that is not providing adequate relief

✓ Refer you to NHS talking therapies — including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and counselling

✓ Issue a fit note if depression is preventing you from attending work

✓ Connect you with peer support groups, mental health apps, and evidence-based self-help resources

✓ Build a personalised follow-up plan to monitor your progress and adjust treatment over time

✓ Arrange same-day referral to a mental health crisis team if your immediate safety is at risk

Depression is the single leading cause of disability worldwide — yet in the UK, fewer than half of all people living with depression ever receive any form of treatment. That is not because treatment does not work. It is because asking for help feels hard. Our online GPs are available 7 days a week — no waiting room, no judgement, no delay. Just honest, expert, compassionate care from wherever you are.

Book an Online GP Appointment — Same Day Slots Available