Understanding Depression: Signs, Causes and Where to Get Help

Depression is more than feeling sad or flat for a few days. It’s a common mental health condition where low mood or a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy lasts for two weeks or more and affects your daily life. Depression is treatable, and talking to a GP is a good first step.

This guide covers the signs of depression, what can contribute to it, what helps and where to get support.

What is depression?

Everyone has times of feeling down, especially after a loss or a stressful event. Depression is different because the low mood is stronger, lasts longer and gets in the way of work, study, relationships or looking after yourself. It can affect anyone, at any age.

There are different types, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder (long-lasting, milder symptoms), perinatal depression during pregnancy or after having a baby, and depression that’s part of bipolar disorder.

Signs and symptoms

According to healthdirect, if you’ve had several of these signs for two weeks or more, it’s time to get some help.

How you might feel

• sad, empty, hopeless or numb most of the time
• loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy
• irritable, frustrated or overwhelmed
• worthless or guilty
• anxious or on edge

How it can affect your body and behaviour

• sleeping too much or too little
• changes in appetite or weight
• tiredness and low energy
• trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• headaches, aches and pains, or tummy upsets
• withdrawing from friends and family
• using more alcohol or other drugs

Thoughts of death or suicide

Some people with depression think about death or suicide. If this is happening to you, please reach out now. See “When to get urgent help” below.

What contributes to depression?

There’s usually no single cause. Depression often comes from a mix of factors, such as:

• stressful or painful life events, like relationship breakdown, job loss, grief or trauma
• ongoing stress, loneliness or isolation
• a family history of depression
• long-term physical health conditions or chronic pain
• personality traits, such as being a worrier or very self-critical
• alcohol and other drug use
• hormonal changes, including during pregnancy and after birth

Some physical conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, can cause similar symptoms, which is one reason a GP check-up is useful.

What helps

Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and what suits you. Often, a combination works best.

Self-care and lifestyle

• Stay connected. Spend time with people you trust, even briefly.
• Move your body. Regular physical activity, such as walking, can lift mood.
• Look after your sleep. Keep regular sleep and wake times where you can.
• Eat regular meals. Our article on healthy eating has practical tips.
• Cut back on alcohol and other drugs. They can make depression worse.
• Do small, manageable things. Set simple goals and notice what you get done.

Psychological therapy

Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, can help you understand your thoughts and feelings and build ways to cope. These are usually provided by a psychologist or another trained mental health professional. Online programs can also help some people with mild to moderate symptoms.

Medicine

For moderate to severe depression, a doctor may suggest antidepressant medicine, usually alongside psychological therapy. Your doctor will talk with you about the benefits, possible side effects and how long treatment may take to work. Don’t stop a prescribed medicine suddenly without speaking to your doctor.

When to see a GP

See a GP if:

• you’ve felt low or lost interest in things for two weeks or more
• your mood is affecting your work, study, relationships or daily tasks
• you’re using alcohol or other drugs to cope
• you’ve had depression before and notice the signs coming back
• you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby and your mood is low

A GP can check for physical causes, talk through treatment options and refer you on. If you’d like a Mental Health Treatment Plan to access Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions, you’ll need to see your usual GP or MyMedicare practice. Our article on Mental Health Treatment Plans explains how this works.

When to get urgent help

If you’re thinking about suicide or harming yourself, or someone else is at risk, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department.

If you need to talk to someone now:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours, 7 days)

The free Medicare Mental Health service (1800 595 212, 8:30 am to 5 pm weekdays) can also help you find ongoing support.

How Teldoc can help

Our AHPRA-registered GPs can talk with you about depression by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time). Most patients are seen within 15 minutes. Your GP can:

• listen and assess your symptoms, including your safety
• discuss self-care, therapy and medicine options
• prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate, with an eScript sent to your phone
• arrange blood tests to check for physical causes
• refer you to a psychiatrist or other specialist where needed
• provide a medical certificate if you’re not well enough to work or study

Mental health consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, with no Medicare rebate. They’re bulk billed for patients experiencing homelessness. Teldoc doesn’t provide Mental Health Treatment Plans or psychology services. See our fees page or read more about depression support online.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if it’s depression or just a bad patch?

Feeling low after a hard time is normal. If low mood or loss of interest lasts two weeks or more and affects your daily life, it may be depression, and it’s worth talking to a GP.

Can depression get better?

Yes. Depression is treatable. Self-care, psychological therapy and, for some people, medicine can all help. Recovery looks different for everyone, so keep in touch with your doctor about how you’re going.

Do I need medicine for depression?

Not always. Mild depression often improves with self-care and psychological therapy. For moderate to severe depression, a doctor may suggest medicine as well. Your doctor will help you weigh up the options.

Can I talk to a GP about depression by telehealth?

Yes. A GP can assess your symptoms by phone or video, discuss treatment, prescribe if clinically appropriate and refer you on. For a Mental Health Treatment Plan, you’ll usually need your usual GP or MyMedicare practice.

What should I do if a friend seems depressed?

Check in with them, listen without judging and encourage them to see a GP. If you think they’re at risk of harming themselves, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026