Diagnosis - Clinical depression

Talk to your GP if you have symptoms of depression every day for more than 2 weeks.

You should also talk to your GP if you:

• have symptoms of depression that are not improving
• notice your mood affects your work, other interests, and relationships with your family and friends
• have thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Seeing your GP is the first step to getting treatments such as self-help, talking therapy or medicine. When you're depressed it can be difficult to imagine that treatment can help. But the sooner you get treatment, the sooner your depression will improve.

Talking to your GP about depression

Some conditions can cause symptoms of depression, for example an underactive thyroid. To rule out other conditions your GP may do a urine test or blood test.

There are no physical tests for depression. Your GP will try to find out if you have depression by asking you questions. They will ask about your health and how it is affecting you mentally and physically.

They'll also ask about:

• your medical history
• previous mental health difficulties
• your home environment and lifestyle
• recent triggers such as stressful events
• if you've had thoughts of suicide or self-harm

Try to be open and honest with your answers. Describe how your symptoms are affecting you.

Confidentiality

Any discussion you have with your GP will be confidential.

Your GP will only break this rule if:

• there's a significant risk of harm to yourself or others
• informing a family member would reduce that risk