Mental health
Talk to a GP about anxiety or low mood
A HerDoc GP can help you talk through anxiety, persistent worry or low mood. You can describe what has changed and how it affects you, without needing to name a condition first.
Can I discuss anxiety or low mood with an online GP?
Yes. A HerDoc GP can assess anxiety or low-mood concerns in a phone consultation. You can discuss thoughts, feelings, physical symptoms and changes in daily life. The GP can explore possible contributors and talk through support, treatment or follow-up that fits your circumstances.
What has changed for you?
You might feel on edge, lose interest in things you usually enjoy, withdraw from people or find ordinary tasks harder. Anxiety and low mood can affect sleep, appetite, concentration and relationships as well as how you feel.
A few examples from your day can help: avoiding a usual activity, struggling to focus at work or finding it difficult to get started in the morning. These experiences are reasons to seek support, not a checklist for diagnosing yourself.
Make the conversation easier
You can use notes or your own words. Consider what you most want help with, and mention earlier episodes or care that helped or did not help. Healthdirect’s appointment guide explains what a mental-health conversation with a GP can cover.
- When the change began, how often it happens and whether it is getting worse.
- How it affects sleep, work, study, relationships and looking after yourself.
- Physical symptoms, medicines, supplements, alcohol or other substances.
- Recent pressures, previous mental-health care and support you have now.
Look at physical health and mood together
A racing heart, nausea, tension or tiredness can occur alongside anxiety or low mood, but may have other explanations. Mention new physical symptoms rather than assuming they are caused by anxiety.
The GP may ask about sleep, pain, health conditions, medicine changes and your safety. If symptoms began around period changes or menopause, mention that context too. Further records, an examination or tests may help clarify the picture.
Discuss what would help next
You can ask about practical self-care, treatment options or a referral, or ask the GP where to start. The next step depends on your symptoms, preferences and previous care.
A HerDoc GP can assess whether a referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is appropriate and prepare one when the consultation and current requirements support it. Further assessment or another appointment may be needed. Before finishing, ask what to do next, when to follow up and where to seek help if things worsen.
When telehealth may not be suitable
- An examination or tests are needed to assess physical symptoms.
- Severe distress or rapidly worsening symptoms need prompt local or crisis support.
When to seek urgent care
HerDoc is not an emergency or crisis service. If you may act on thoughts of suicide or self-harm, cannot stay safe or someone is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department now. For suicidal thoughts or severe distress without immediate danger, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for support now. Call 000 for chest pain, severe breathing difficulty or collapse. Do not wait for a routine appointment in these situations.
Ready to talk when HerDoc launches?
Join the waiting list for news about access to HerDoc's online GP service. The waiting list is not monitored for health concerns and must not be used in an emergency.
Related pages
FAQs
Do I need to wait until symptoms become severe?
No. You can seek help when worry or low mood is troubling you or affecting daily life. Describe the change and its impact, even if you are unsure of the cause.
What if I find it hard to explain how I feel?
You can start with one example of what has changed or refer to a few notes. You do not need medical words. Ask the GP to slow down or explain a question if that helps.
Could physical health or medicines be contributing?
Yes. Sleep, physical health and medicines can affect how you feel. Have your medicine list handy and mention new physical symptoms or recent changes so the GP can consider them alongside your mood.
Why might the GP ask about suicide or self-harm?
Questions about safety help the GP understand what support you need. You can say what you are experiencing and ask why a question matters. If you may act on those thoughts or cannot stay safe, call 000 or go to an emergency department now.
What if I have had treatment before?
Mention what you tried, how it helped, any unwanted effects and why it ended or changed. Have relevant records handy if available. Your previous experience can help guide the discussion about your next step.