What this site covers
Depression is more than feeling fed up for a few days. The NHS describes it as a low mood that lasts for weeks or months and affects your daily life. It can change how you sleep, eat, think and relate to other people. It is not a sign of weakness, and it is not something you can simply “snap out of”.
It is also common. In the most recent Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey for England (2023/4), about 1 in 5 adults had a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression in the week before they were surveyed.
The good news is that depression can be treated. The NHS says that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
This site is written for adults in the UK. It follows NHS information and the NICE guideline on depression in adults (NG222), and explains things in plain language.
Where to start
Pick the question that fits where you are now.
| If you are wondering… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Is this depression or just a bad patch? | What is depression? and Symptoms |
| Why has this happened? | Causes of depression |
| How do I get a diagnosis? | Getting diagnosed |
| What treatments work? | Treatment and Antidepressants |
| Nothing has helped so far | Seeing a psychiatrist |
| What can I do myself? | Self-help for depression |
| I’m worried about someone | Supporting someone |
| It’s affecting my job | Depression and work |
You can also read about the different types of depression, including postnatal depression, seasonal affective disorder and depression in bipolar disorder.
Getting help in the UK
For most people, the first step is a GP appointment. A GP can talk through your symptoms, check for physical causes and discuss treatment.
You do not always have to wait for a GP, though. In England, adults can usually refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for free. These services offer treatments such as guided self-help, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, talking therapy is usually arranged through your GP or local services.
NICE recommends that treatment is a shared decision between you and your clinician. For less severe depression, talking therapies and guided self-help are usually tried before medication. For more severe depression, a combination of therapy and an antidepressant is often recommended.
When a psychiatrist can help
It may be worth asking about a specialist opinion if you have tried two or more treatments without much improvement, if side effects are a problem, or if you or your GP are unsure whether this is depression or something else, such as bipolar disorder. On the NHS, this usually means a GP referral to a mental health team. Some people choose to see a private psychiatrist instead. The page on seeing a psychiatrist explains both routes.
About this information
This site links to Happy Clinic for readers who want a private psychiatric consultation. It does not replace advice from your own GP or care team. Read more about how the content is written on the About page, and see current Happy Clinic prices on the fees page.