Most GP's will diagnose your depression according to certain criteria and then either send you to see a Consultant Psychiatrist (shrink)for a clinical assessment and diagnosis, or if you ask, a Clinical Psychologist. This is because doctors are highly trained in biology and biological systems and see you as a system that has become dysfunctional. They are looking for a medical cause, not a psychological one, although some newly trained doctors will see environmental causes such as a job loss or bereavement.They will prescribe you medication as they believe this will make an impact and correct any imbalance in your brains neurochemistry.The drugs they wil prescribe usually can make you feel much better by lifting your moods, but many of these drugs can make you addicted and cause bad side effects such as weight gain and bloatedness. Some GP's will prescribe major tranquilizers such as Largactil which is a drug called Chlorpromazine, or Clozaril, Haldol or minor tranquilizer such as Librium, Diazepam Mogadon, Xanax. The antidepressants they may prescribe could be Nardilor Tofranil or the well known Prozac. These are called SSRI's selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Fluoxetine is a very popular one. They work on your central nervous system on a brain feel good chemical called Serotonin.Ideally a GP will or should try to combine this drug therapy with Cognitive behaviour Therapy in order to get you back to full health and fitness again.
There is a scheme now in Northern Ireland where local GP's can prescribe three months for regular gym exercise in your local leisure centre.This is anti depressive and works wonders for your low moods and you meet and interact with many others in the leisure centre.