CBT helps identify unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and practise more helpful alternatives. It is structured and tailored to the person's difficulties.

Improvement may take a few weeks, with fuller effects taking longer. Set expectations, monitor symptoms and adverse effects, and arrange follow-up rather than making premature changes.

Use it to structure symptom review and track change, not as a stand-alone diagnostic decision. Explore function, history, differential diagnoses, risk and the patient's priorities.

They inhibit serotonin reuptake. This describes a pharmacological target, not a complete explanation of the clinical antidepressant effect.

No. It screens for possible perinatal depressive symptoms (and can identify anxiety symptoms); a positive result needs appropriate follow-up assessment, not an automatic diagnosis.

It is an outcome/distress measure. It supports assessment but does not itself establish a diagnosis; pair the measure with clinical assessment and a provisional or formal diagnosis.

No. It belongs to a different antidepressant class and does not share the SSRI transporter mechanism. Antidepressant mechanisms and adverse effects vary between medicines.

Stopping suddenly after ongoing use can cause withdrawal symptoms and may worsen or unmask illness. Discuss a gradual, supervised dose reduction.

Mental state, autonomic function and neuromuscular activity. It can range from mild to life-threatening; consider drug interactions and seek urgent assessment when suspected.

GAD involves persistent worry across many situations, affecting daily life; it may also disrupt sleep and energy. A phobia centres on a particular object or situation.

Baby blues occur commonly in the days after birth; postnatal depression lasts longer and can impair daily coping. Ask about symptoms, function and safety, and offer timely support.

Persistent low mood or loss of interest, often with changes in sleep, appetite, motivation or function. Assess duration, impairment, context and safety.

Treat it as an urgent severe mental-health presentation. Arrange immediate specialist/emergency assessment and assess the safety of the parent, baby and others in their care.

TCAs are a distinct antidepressant class with broader pharmacology; they are not selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Drug choice depends on clinical context and adverse-effect considerations.

Discuss monitoring for worsening depression or emerging suicidality, and arrange appropriate follow-up. TGA review did not establish that prescribing causes youth suicide.

Evidence-based psychological therapy can help depression. Match the approach to severity, needs, preferences and access; agree on review and escalation if symptoms or risk worsen.