Depression and anxiety
Getting help if you need it
⚠️ It's important to get medical help if you think you need it.
- For help from a GP – use your GP surgery's website, use an online service or app, or call the surgery.
- For urgent medical help – use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111 if you're unable to get help online.
- For life-threatening emergencies – call 999 for an ambulance.
If you're advised to go to hospital, it's important to go.
Depression
Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel constantly sad for weeks or even months, rather than just a few days.
Depression can look different for everyone. You might feel really unhappy, lose interest in things you used to enjoy, or cry a lot. Many people with depression also feel anxious.
You might also have physical symptoms like feeling tired all the time, sleeping badly, losing your appetite or sex drive, and having aches and pains.
Depression can be mild or severe. Mild depression might make you feel low, while severe depression can make you feel like life isn't worth living.
Most people feel stressed or have a low mood during tough times. A low mood usually gets better after a short time and isn't always depression.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of stress, panic or fear that can affect your everyday life physically and psychologically.
How severe the symptoms are varies from person to person. Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many more.
Some symptoms include:
- feeling tense or nervous
- being unable to relax
- worrying about the past or future
- not being able to enjoy your leisure time
- difficulty looking after yourself
- faster, irregular or more noticeable heartbeat
- feeling lightheaded and dizzy
- chest pains
You can read about more symptoms on the NHS website
You should see your GP if anxiety is affecting your daily life or is causing you distress.
It's important to talk...
You can watch this video Fullscreen on Youtube
Whatever you're going through, find out how just talking to a volunteer at Samaritans can help in a safe and non-judgemental space.
Call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 for 24 hour support. They also offer support by email, letter and face-to-face.
Useful contacts and information
Release the Pressure
Release the Pressure offer free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern. Their website has links to useful mental health support organisations.
Don’t suffer in silence: text the word SHOUT to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160.