Depression: signs and symptoms
More than 2 weeks is the line. Low mood or lost interest most of the day, every day? See a GP. Suicidal thoughts? Don’t wait. It often comes on slowly, so it’s easy to miss.
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Signs of depression
The NHS says see a GP if you have signs of depression most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
Depression is more than feeling fed up for a few days. You feel sad for weeks or months. It gets in the way of work, friends and family.
| Kind of sign | What the NHS lists |
|---|---|
| Feelings | Low mood or sadness that won’t lift. Hopeless, helpless, tearful, guilty, irritable, anxious or worried. Low self-esteem. |
| Thinking | No motivation or interest in things. No enjoyment in life. Hard to make decisions. Thoughts of suicide or self-harm. |
| Body | Moving or speaking more slowly. Change in appetite or weight. Constipation. Aches with no clear cause. No energy. Low sex drive. Trouble getting to sleep, or waking very early. |
| Social life | Seeing friends less. Dropping hobbies. Problems at home, at work or in the family. |
Source: NHS: symptoms of depression
You’re unlikely to have all of them. Struggling to focus or remember things? See depression and memory loss.
Think of a bad day as weather. Depression is more like a long grey season.
But long seasons can end. With the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.
Next step: note which signs you’ve had most days for the last 2 weeks. Take that list to your GP.
Is it low mood, grief or depression?
Feel depressed after a hard week? A low mood often gets better after a few days or weeks. If it lasts 2 weeks or more, it could be a sign of depression.
| Feeling | How long it usually lasts | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Low mood | Often gets better after a few days or weeks | Lasting 2 weeks or more |
| Grief | Sadness is normal and usually eases with time | Feeling hopeless or guilt-ridden, or thoughts of suicide. These are rare in grief, so get help |
| Depression | Weeks or months | Gets in the way of work, social life and family life |
Sources: NHS: low mood; NHS: symptoms of depression
Grief is a natural response to loss, while depression is an illness. But for some people, bereavement can lead to depression.
Stress counts too. A break-up, losing a job or money worries can trigger depression, and causes often combine.
Not sure which it is? You don’t need to be. The NHS says see a GP if you think you may be depressed.
Early signs of depression: why it’s easy to miss
Depression can often come on gradually. Many people try to cope without realising they’re unwell.
That’s why the first person to notice is sometimes a friend or family member, not you.
How a hard time can spiral into depression
- 1
Something hard happens
Such as a relationship ending.
- 2
You feel low
A likely first response.
- 3
You pull back
You see friends and family less, and may drink more.
- 4
You feel worse
This can trigger depression.
Source: NHS: causes of depression
Break the chain early. Your risk goes up if you stop seeing friends and family and try to deal with problems alone. Alcohol raises the risk too.
Men are less likely to ask for help than women. They’re also more likely to turn to alcohol or drugs when depressed.
Living with someone with depression? It can strain your relationship. The NHS suggests a support group, so you can talk to others in the same spot.
Signs of depression in women
The NHS gives one list of signs for everyone. But in a 2023/4 survey in England, 4.5% of women screened positive for depression in the past week, against 3.1% of men.
Among women, it was highest in the youngest group: 7.4% of women aged 16 to 24.
| When | What the NHS says |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy | Depression can start before birth. This is called antenatal depression. |
| After a baby | Postnatal depression. Fathers and partners can get it too. |
| Before a period | PMDD: a severe kind of PMS, with depression and anxiety in the weeks before a period. |
| Menopause | Can sometimes trigger depression, especially in the first few years. Menopause mood symptoms are different from depression. |
Sources: NHS: causes of depression; NHS: symptoms of depression
Pregnant or had a baby? NHS talking therapies cover postnatal depression too.
Mood changes around menopause? See menopause, mood and anxiety.
Self-help and treatment for depression
You can start some of this today. These steps come from the NHS advice on low mood and depression.
Things to help with depression
- Talk about how you feel to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor.
- Get regular exercise. Even a brisk 10-minute walk can clear your mind.
- Eat a healthy diet with regular meals to keep your energy steady.
- Set small targets you can easily reach, instead of doing everything at once.
- Try mindfulness, where you focus on the present moment.
- Try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to lift your mood.
Sources: NHS: low mood; NHS: exercise for depression
In England you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP. You need to be registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 in some areas).
What a GP may offer, from mild to severe
- 1
Wait and see
For mild depression. You’re seen again after 2 to 4 weeks.
- 2
Guided self-help
Usually 6 to 8 sessions with a workbook or online course, and a therapist.
- 3
Talking therapy
Such as CBT, usually 8 to 16 sessions.
- 4
Antidepressants
Usually for moderate or severe depression, often with talking therapy.
Source: NHS: treatment for depression
CBT is a talking therapy that helps you change how you think and act. Waits for it can be several weeks or months. Ask your GP what to do if things get worse while you wait.
On an antidepressant? Contact a GP straight away if hopeless or suicidal thoughts start or get worse. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Sleeping badly? Start with better sleep habits.
When to speak to a GP
There’s no physical test for depression. A GP may do blood or urine tests to rule out look-alikes, such as an underactive thyroid. See blood tests for low mood.
Book an appointment if:
- You’ve had signs of depression most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.
- Your mood is affecting your work, interests or relationships.
- You’re struggling to cope, or the things you’re trying yourself are not helping.
- You have thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Contact a GP as soon as possible.
Need help sooner? Use 111 online or call 111 and choose the mental health option. Or ask for an urgent GP appointment.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if someone’s life is at risk, or you can’t keep yourself or someone else safe. If it’s someone else, stay with them or have someone else stay with them. Remove medicines and anything else they could use to harm themselves.
Need to talk right now? Call Samaritans on 116 123, any time of day or night.
Worried about someone? Warning signs include talking about death or suicide, self-harm, or making final arrangements. That can mean giving things away, making a will or saying goodbye.
Another sign is a sudden lift in mood. Help them get professional support.