Talk to a GP about anxiety or low mood

Yes. You can describe ongoing worry, fear, avoidance, panic-like episodes, physical sensations and how they affect your life. The GP will decide what can be assessed online and whether another form of care is needed.

Yes. Talk through how long the change has lasted and whether it affects enjoyment, motivation, energy, sleep, appetite or daily activities. Low mood has many possible contexts, so the GP will look at the broader picture.

You do not need to identify a condition yourself. Describe what is happening in your own words, including emotional, physical and practical changes, and the GP can assess what further questions or care may be needed.

Mention anything that is new, persistent or affecting you, including worry, sadness, irritability, panic, withdrawal, loss of enjoyment and changes in sleep or appetite. Also describe physical symptoms, current medicines, substance use and significant recent events.

They can occur alongside symptoms such as tension, nausea, a racing heart, tiredness or changes in sleep. Similar symptoms can have physical causes, so do not assume anxiety or mood is the explanation without assessment.

Yes. Describe what happens, how quickly it begins, how long it lasts and whether there are triggers. Chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting or unfamiliar symptoms may need immediate medical assessment.

Duration and pattern help the GP understand what is happening. Talk through when you first noticed the change, whether it is continuous or episodic, and whether it is getting better, worsening or staying the same.

Describe the practical impact, including missed work, withdrawal, conflict, reduced self-care or difficulty concentrating. Functional change is useful assessment information and may affect the recommended next step.

Questions may cover symptoms, safety, daily life, physical health, medicines, alcohol or other drugs, past experiences and current support. Some questions may feel personal, but you can ask why they are relevant.

Yes. Physical conditions, hormonal changes, pain, sleep problems, medicines and substance use can affect mood or anxiety symptoms. The GP may recommend an examination or tests if the information available online is not enough.

During intake, you will select mental health and answer follow-up questions about the reason for the appointment. The GP may also use a questionnaire if it helps their assessment. A questionnaire is one source of information and does not replace the GP's judgement or the broader conversation.

The treating GP decides whether there is enough information to make a diagnosis and whether further assessment is required. HerDoc cannot guarantee a diagnosis in one online consultation.

Yes. The GP can discuss treatment and medicine options after assessing your circumstances. A prescription is not guaranteed. The GP may recommend an examination, tests, follow-up or care from your usual or an in-person doctor before prescribing.

Yes. A HerDoc GP can assess whether a referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate and prepare one where the consultation and current requirements support it. Neither is automatic, and a plan may take more than one consultation. HerDoc delivers a referral or plan provided by the GP electronically.

Get immediate help if you may harm yourself or another person, cannot stay safe, or are in immediate danger. Call 000 or go to an emergency department; the urgent mental-health help page lists Australian crisis contacts.