A short-lived, manageable change.
Small routines, movement, regular meals, reduced alcohol and talking with someone you trust can help. Review if symptoms persist or coping worsens.
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Mood, stress & sleep · GP care
Talk before it becomes too much. Find a supported next step.
Low mood, anxiety, ongoing stress and poor sleep often reinforce one another. A private GP consultation can assess how long this has been happening, how it affects you and which support is appropriate.
This is a routine GP service, not a crisis service. If you feel unsafe, are at risk of harming yourself or someone else, or need urgent mental health help, use the routes below now.
Choose a suitable route
Choose the right starting point.
Self-care can support a short-lived dip, while persistent symptoms, impaired coping or safety concerns need professional help.
Persistent or affecting daily life.
Arrange a review for low mood lasting two weeks or more, anxiety, stress, insomnia lasting months, or symptoms making work, relationships or self-care difficult.
Explore GP appointmentsUnsafe, in crisis or severe new symptoms.
Use 999 for immediate danger. Use NHS 111 mental health support for urgent needs, or seek immediate GP help for new hallucinations or delusions.
Get urgent supportAdults in England can often self-refer to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP. A GP can still help when symptoms, medicines or physical health need review.
Notice the pattern
What changes the next step.
Duration, impact, physical symptoms and safety guide the assessment.
Low mood
Sadness, hopelessness, loss of enjoyment, low confidence, tiredness and poor concentration lasting two weeks or more may indicate depression.
Anxiety and stress
Persistent worry, panic, tension, irritability, racing thoughts and physical symptoms can affect work, relationships and health.
Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep, repeated waking, early waking and daytime impairment may become a self-sustaining cycle.
Safety and severe symptoms
Self-harm thoughts, feeling unable to stay safe, hallucinations, delusions or marked behavioural change need urgent assessment.
Thyroid disease, menopause, pain, sleep apnoea, alcohol, drugs and medicines can affect mood and sleep, so physical health remains part of the review.
A focused GP assessment
Understand what changed and how you are coping.
A GP can assess severity and safety, consider physical contributors and agree support that fits your preferences.
Explore in-person GP care01
Make space for the story.
Discuss onset, triggers, mood, anxiety, sleep, appetite, concentration, functioning, relationships and support.
02
Assess safety directly.
Questions about self-harm, suicide, substance use, abuse, hallucinations or feeling unsafe are asked to choose the right care, not to judge.
03
Plan treatment and follow-up.
Options may include self-help, NHS talking therapies, work support, medicine, physical-health checks or specialist mental health care.
A proportionate plan
Build support in layers.
The best plan often combines daily structure, psychological support and medicine only when it is appropriate.
01
Stabilise routines
Regular waking, daylight, movement, meals, reduced alcohol and caffeine, and a wind-down routine can support mood and sleep.
02
Talking therapies
CBT and other evidence-based therapies can help with depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia; self-referral is available in many areas.
03
Medicine and review
A clinician may discuss medication after assessing benefits, side effects, interactions and safety. Follow-up is important, especially after starting or changing treatment.
Sleeping tablets are rarely a long-term solution and can cause side effects or dependence. Treatment for insomnia usually starts by addressing causes and sleep habits.
Prepare for a useful review
Bring the last two weeks into focus.
Note mood, anxiety, sleep times, awakenings, appetite, concentration, panic symptoms, alcohol or drug use and the effect on work, relationships and self-care.
List medicines and supplements, prior therapy or mental health care, physical symptoms and your support network. If safety is a concern, seek urgent help now rather than preparing for a routine appointment.
Explore GP appointments ↗Good to know
Questions about mood, stress and sleep.
Practical answers to help you choose a sensible next step without trying to diagnose the concern yourself.
When should I see a GP for low mood?
Arrange a review if low mood lasts more than two weeks, you are struggling to cope, self-help is not helping or you would prefer GP support or referral.
Can I self-refer for talking therapy?
In most areas of England, adults can self-refer to NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression without first seeing a GP.
Will a GP prescribe sleeping tablets?
Not routinely. Sleeping pills can have serious side effects and dependence risk, so they are generally reserved for short periods when insomnia is severe and other approaches have not worked.
What if I need help tonight?
Call 999 or go to A&E if anyone is in immediate danger. For urgent mental health help that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Samaritans are available on 116 123.
Clinical information: NHS low moodNHS insomniaNHS urgent mental health support. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.