If I went to the NHS and told them I think I might be depressed, what would then happen?

Mental health
1

I'll start with some background on my issue:

Since around 17 I have had a history of pretty severe low moods. In these cases I've always just told myself I need to snap out of it. I tell myself content and happiness comes from my outlook on life, and this is something I (should) have complete control over. Anyway, I'm 22 now and I've been pretty bad at following my own advice. I spend way more time than what I would consider normal or healthy being sad and mopy. Particularly bad moods are often catalysed by self esteem issues I have, but not always. Sometimes (like at the moment) they are started by something really small that I know shouldn't bother me that much.

I'm not always sad however, I have some really great days, and I appreciate the fact that I am really lucky that I have a great family and plenty of amazing friends. Because of this I have never seriously considered that I might be depressed.

Skip to now. I've been feeling very down for the past 3 or 4 months. I'm not unfamiliar with low moods, and I usually feel better after a few months, however this is worse than usual and its gotten to a level where I feel like its time I get some help.

However I don't really want to go to a professional. It is something I would not be comfortable doing, and I also do not want to waste their time.

But if I did go, what is likely to happen? What is the procedure that the experts do after I tell them my concern? I'm from the UK so my first point of call would be my GP (NHS)(free public national health care).

I have read on the website that they often prescribe some minor life changes, such as exercise and diet. I feel like this is what will probably happen. Can anybody expand on this? What other minor life changes would they prescribe? If you know, please could you go into some detail? I currently have an okay diet, and I walk about 4 miles a day. This doesn't seem to be helping though. I could do with a more detailed prescription of these "minor life changes" that are supposed to help.

2

Hi. I've had the same problem you've been having and my experience is still on going because it takes a while for things to actually kick off if you are just depressed and not suicidal. I don't know. Maybe its different in other hospitals. But for me, I had to see my regular doctor. He did a physical exam to make sure nothing was wrong with me that caused me to be sleepy all of the time (a symptom of depression). Then he refered me to a councelor for two weeks later. She then prescribed me some medicine. And in two more weeks I see her again and a psychologist for therapy. If your concerned you may harm yourself though and you want to talk to someone or feel like tou need help with depression, I would recomend telling them you are suicidal. It will pick up the pace a little. 

3

When I finally plucked up the courage to see my gp I wrote all my ffelings down as I tended to get upset trying to talk about it. Firstly he thanked me for asking for help and reassured me I wasnt mad or abnormal. We discussed a lot of different options. I settled for a mild anti-depressant and was referred for counselling. I was monitored weekly to check the meds were ok and to check I wasn't feeling any worse. I have since had various therapies and counsilling sessions. It is not a quick fix but the blackness will lift in time. I will always "have depression" but now I manage it.

4

They would sort it out for you. Millions of people suffer from the same thing as you are. It will take time and patience but eventually you will get better. I myself have anxiety disorder and major depression. I have managed to control the depression more and am working on my anxiety issues now.