Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
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Mind and wellbeing

Persistent sadness or low mood

Also called sadness, low mood, depression, udaasi, feeling low

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

Feeling low for a short time is part of life, but a low mood or loss of interest that lasts for weeks and affects sleep, appetite and daily life may be depression, which is a treatable health condition and not a weakness.

Safe to do at home

  • Talk to someone you trust about how you feel
  • Keep a gentle daily routine with small achievable steps
  • Try to stay active and spend some time outdoors
  • Keep regular sleep and meal times

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not face it alone or feel you must hide it
  • Do not use alcohol or substances to cope
  • Do not stop any prescribed medicine suddenly

Book a consultation if

  • Low mood lasts more than two weeks
  • It affects your work, studies, sleep or relationships
  • You have lost interest in things you used to enjoy

Get help immediately if

  • Any thoughts of harming yourself or that life is not worth living, please reach out for immediate help, contact a doctor, the Tele MANAS helpline 14416, or a trusted person right away
  • Feeling unable to keep yourself safe

The right doctor for this

Psychiatrist

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a PsychiatristStart with a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for persistent sadness or low mood

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorPsychiatrist

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Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.