Adults
Depression
Depression goes beyond the normal ups and downs of life. It can affect thoughts, feelings, sleep, appetite and the ability to enjoy things that once felt pleasurable. It is a medical condition, and it responds well to treatment.
Also searched as: low mood, clinical depression, feeling down.
What the evidence says
4.3%
of the world's population was estimated to be living with depression
1 in 20
Indian adults live with depression
- Loss of interest in day-to-day activities
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness or helplessness
- Fatigue and slowness in thinking
- Reduced sleep or sleeping too much
- Reduced appetite or binge eating
- Poor concentration and reduced self-confidence
This is a guide, not a diagnosis. Only a qualified professional can assess.
- Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioural and interpersonal therapy
- Psychiatric assessment and medication where appropriate
- Lifestyle support around sleep, activity and routine
- Family involvement where helpful
- Stomach aches or unexplained pains
- Irritability or agitation
- Refusal to go to school; clinginess
- Withdrawal from other children
- Fixation on past failures or losses
- Worthlessness or intense guilt
- Crying spells and tearfulness
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
Not sure yet?
A few private questions: Low mood self-check
Over the last two weeks, how often have you experienced the following? Take your time. Scored on your device only, nothing is stored, and it is not a diagnosis.
The care pathway
What each professional actually does here
Care for this concern is usually shared. Here is how each discipline contributes, so nothing feels like a black box.
A psychotherapist provides a supportive, non-judgemental space to explore thoughts, emotions and behaviours, using approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy or interpersonal therapy.
Explore this serviceA psychiatrist conducts a thorough evaluation, considering biological factors, and can prescribe antidepressants where appropriate, monitoring and adjusting the treatment plan over time.
Explore this serviceWho you'd work with
The disciplines involved
You don't have to choose the right professional yourself — we match you after a first conversation.
Psychology
Psychology & Therapy
Evidence-informed therapy for adolescents, adults, couples and older adults- held in a space where you are understood as a whole person.
Learn morePsychiatry
Psychiatry
Careful psychiatric assessment and medication support, always coordinated with your therapist and wider care team.
Learn moreQuestions
Depression: questions people ask us
Short, honest answers about who helps, what to expect and how care is coordinated.
Common signs include persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and difficulty concentrating.
Options include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, delivered by psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors.
It may not always be preventable, but a healthy lifestyle, seeking support early and addressing stressors can lower the risk.
No. It is a medical condition shaped by biological, psychological and social factors, not a personal failing.
Take the next step
Tell us what's happening, we'll suggest where to start
You don't have to choose the right professional yourself- we match you after a first conversation.