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Depression

Persistent low mood, loss of interest, low energy. Common, and treatable.

Speak to a GP about depressionFrom £79

In short

Depression is common and very treatable. A GP can assess you, give lifestyle advice, signpost free NHS Talking Therapies, and prescribe where appropriate. ThanksDoc is not an emergency service.

Overview

What is depression?

Depression is more than feeling down, it's a persistent low mood and loss of interest that lasts weeks or more and affects daily life. It ranges from mild to severe. Causes are a mix of life events, biology, and circumstances. It's one of the most common health conditions in the UK and responds well to treatment.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

  • Persistent low mood or sadness
  • Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
  • Low energy and tiredness
  • Changes in sleep (too much or too little)
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness

When to act

When to see a doctor

Book a GP if low mood has lasted more than two weeks, is affecting your work, relationships, or daily life, or you're struggling to cope. Seek urgent help immediately if you have thoughts of harming yourself.

When to seek urgent help

Seek urgent help if

  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call 999, NHS 111, or Samaritans 116 123
  • Being unable to keep yourself safe, or caring for someone who isn't safe
  • Symptoms after childbirth (postnatal depression needs prompt support)
  • Hearing voices or losing touch with reality (needs urgent assessment)

Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies or NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency advice.

Treatment

How a private GP can help

  • A confidential assessment of your mood and what's contributing
  • Validated screening tools where helpful (PHQ-9)
  • Signposting to NHS Talking Therapies (free, self-referral, no GP needed)
  • Where appropriate, prescription of antidepressants such as sertraline or escitalopram (not controlled drugs)
  • Lifestyle advice on sleep, exercise, alcohol, and routine
  • Onward referral to community mental health services for more support

What we don't do

  • Emergency mental health crisis care, please use the resources above
  • Prescribe controlled drugs or benzodiazepines
  • Formal psychiatric assessment or specialist care (we refer to NHS)

Pricing

What it costs

An online consultation about depression starts at £79 for a 20-minute video appointment. In-pharmacy consultations are £129 and home visits are £189. Your consultation includes one private prescription if appropriate, and a sick note for work if needed. You pay the pharmacy separately for any medication.

See full pricing breakdown

FAQ

Common questions about depression

Will I need medication?
Not always. For mild depression, talking therapy and lifestyle changes are first-line. Antidepressants help in moderate-to-severe depression and are often combined with therapy.
Are antidepressants addictive?
Antidepressants are not addictive like benzodiazepines or opioids, but they should be reduced gradually when stopping to avoid discontinuation effects.
How long until treatment works?
Antidepressants usually take 4-6 weeks to reach full effect. Talking therapy typically runs over 6-20 weeks. Early side effects often settle within a couple of weeks.
What free support is there?
NHS Talking Therapies (self-refer online), Mind for information and local groups, and Samaritans (116 123) anytime.
See all conditions we can help with

Ready to talk to a GP about depression?

Message Emily on WhatsApp or book online in under 90 seconds. UK-registered doctors, available today.

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