Depression: Symptoms, Treatment and Getting Help
Depression is more than feeling unhappy or having a difficult few days. It can affect your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, relationships and ability to manage everyday life. This plain-English guide explains possible symptoms, when to speak to a GP, treatments that may be offered and where to get urgent help.
Reviewed September 2026
I need urgent help now
If you or another person is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E straight away. That includes anyone who has seriously harmed themselves, taken an overdose, or cannot keep themselves safe right now.
For urgent mental-health help that is not an immediate emergency, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option where it is available. In Northern Ireland, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
- Samaritans — 116 123. Free to call, day or night.
- Shout — text SHOUT to 85258. Free, confidential text support.
- Childline — 0800 1111 for children and young people.
Asking for urgent help is the right thing to do. You will not be wasting anyone's time, and it is always better to ask early than to wait.
What this page covers
Depression is a real health condition, not weakness or laziness, and it is not something a person can simply snap out of. People experience it differently: some feel deeply sad, others feel flat, numb, irritable or exhausted.
Everything below opens when you tap it, so you can read only the parts you need. This page gives general information only and cannot tell anyone whether they have depression — only a qualified health professional can do that.
What depression can feel like
- persistent sadness, emptiness or hopelessness
- losing interest or enjoyment in things that normally matter
- low energy or constant tiredness
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- sleeping too much or too little
- changes in appetite or weight
- feeling guilty, worthless, irritable or tearful
- withdrawing from people
- thoughts of self-harm, death or suicide
People experience depression differently and may not have every symptom. Some people carry on at work or at home and look as though they are coping while struggling privately. If thoughts of self-harm or suicide are present, please use the urgent help above.
When to speak to a GP
Contact your GP if symptoms have carried on for more than a couple of weeks, if they are affecting everyday life, or if they are worrying you. You do not need to be at breaking point to ask, and you do not need to explain everything perfectly.
A GP may ask about:
- your mood, and how long you have felt this way
- sleep, appetite, energy and concentration
- your physical health and any long-term conditions
- medicines you take, including anything bought without a prescription
- alcohol or drug use
- major life events, such as bereavement, money worries or relationship difficulties
- whether you have had any thoughts of harming yourself
A GP may also arrange blood tests or other checks where appropriate, because some physical conditions can cause similar symptoms.
Worth writing down before the appointment
- when the symptoms started, and whether anything has changed
- how your sleep, appetite and energy have been
- what is hardest in an ordinary day
- any medicines, vitamins or supplements you take
- how much alcohol you drink, and any drug use
- anything major that has happened recently
- what you would most like help with
What can cause or contribute to depression
- bereavement, trauma or relationship problems
- loneliness or isolation
- money, housing or employment difficulties
- long-term illness, disability or chronic pain
- pregnancy, childbirth or hormonal changes
- alcohol or drug use
- family history of depression
- sometimes there is no single identifiable cause
Not knowing why you feel this way does not make it less real, and it does not stop you getting help.
Treatments that may be offered
- Guided self-help — structured materials or an online course, with support from a practitioner.
- Talking therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling and other approaches.
- Antidepressant medication, prescribed and reviewed by a doctor.
- A combination of talking therapy and medication.
- Support from a specialist mental-health team for severe or complex depression.
Treatment depends on the individual and on the severity of their symptoms. It should be discussed and chosen with you, not simply handed out, and it can be changed if it is not helping.
NHS — treatment for depression · NHS Talking Therapies (England, self-referral)
Antidepressant safety
- Antidepressants can cause side effects and can interact with other medicines.
- They may take time to have their full effect.
- Do not stop, reduce or change antidepressants suddenly without speaking to the person who prescribed them.
- Seek urgent professional advice if symptoms rapidly worsen, or if suicidal thoughts begin or become stronger, after starting or changing medication.
Always tell a pharmacist or doctor about everything else you take, including anything bought over the counter. This page does not give doses — that is a matter for your prescriber.
Practical steps that may help
- keep a simple daily routine, even a very small one
- eat and drink regularly
- try manageable physical activity, such as a short walk
- stay in contact with somebody you trust
- avoid relying on alcohol or drugs
- break difficult tasks into smaller steps
These ideas may support recovery, but they are not a replacement for professional treatment. If things are not improving, or are getting worse, please speak to a GP or use the urgent help above.
Helping someone with depression
- listen without judging
- take what they say seriously
- offer practical help with appointments or everyday tasks
- keep checking in without pressuring them
- seek urgent help if they may not be able to keep themselves safe
You do not have to have the right words. Staying in touch, and being someone they can be honest with, matters more than saying anything clever.
Finding help across the United Kingdom
England. Speak to your GP, or refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies without needing a GP referral. For urgent help, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option.
Scotland. Speak to your GP, or read NHS inform's depression guidance. For urgent help, call NHS 24 on 111.
Wales. Speak to your GP, or use NHS 111 Wales. For urgent mental-health help, call NHS 111 and choose the mental-health option.
Northern Ireland. Speak to your GP, or read nidirect's mental-health information. For urgent help, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
Trusted information and sources
Important
This page provides general information and links to other organisations. It cannot diagnose depression or any other condition, and it is not medical advice. Always speak to your GP, NHS 111 or another qualified health professional about your own symptoms, and follow the advice of the person who prescribes your medication.
- [1] NHS. Depression in adults — overview · 2026
- [2] NHS. Depression in adults — symptoms · 2026
- [3] NHS. Depression in adults — treatment · 2026
- [4] NHS. Antidepressants — overview · 2026
- [5] NHS. NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (England) — including self-referral · 2026
- [6] NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health · 2026
- [7] NHS inform (Scotland). Depression · 2026
- [8] NHS 111 Wales. Health advice and services · 2026
- [9] nidirect (Northern Ireland). Mental health services · 2026
- [10] Lifeline (Northern Ireland). Crisis helpline — 0808 808 8000 · 2026
- [11] Samaritans. Contact Samaritans — 116 123 · 2026
- [12] Shout. Text SHOUT to 85258 · 2026
- [13] Childline. Childline — 0800 1111 · 2026
- [14] NHS. Postnatal depression · 2026
- [15] NICE. Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222) · 2022