{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "kind": "condition",
  "id": "feeling-sad",
  "name": "Feeling Sad",
  "category": "chronic",
  "sources": "ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) - condition scope only, no dose · Major Depressive Disorder - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (NBK559078) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/ · No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care",
  "review_status": "reviewed",
  "verified_against": "No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care",
  "verified_date": "2026-08",
  "treatments": [
    {
      "id": 751,
      "generic": "No drug therapy in primary care (Assessment & Advice)",
      "line": 1,
      "is_adjunct": false,
      "form": null,
      "strength_mg": null,
      "adult_dose": "Everyday sadness or low mood reported by the patient without meeting criteria for a mental disorder; the GP's role is listening, exploring the cause, and distinguishing this from clinical depression, which is coded and treated separately. No medication is indicated for normal sadness itself.",
      "adult_duration": "Assessment and advice",
      "dose_source": "No dose - no medicine is given for this in primary care",
      "rationale": "Everyday sadness or low mood reported by the patient without meeting criteria for a mental disorder; the GP's role is listening, exploring the cause, and distinguishing this from clinical depression, which is coded and treated separately. No medication is indicated for normal sadness itself.",
      "cautions": [
        "No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care. The value of the consultation is recognition, explanation and follow-up, and referral if the red flags above appear.",
        "RED FLAG - Symptoms persisting beyond two weeks with loss of interest or function, suggesting a major depressive episode rather than simple sadness, or any expression of hopelessness or suicidal thoughts."
      ],
      "peds_mgkg_low": null,
      "peds_mgkg_high": null,
      "peds_max_mg": null,
      "peds_basis": null,
      "peds_unit": null,
      "peds_note": "Children follow the same pathway: assessment, explanation and follow-up. No primary-care medicine is implied.",
      "peds_min_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_max_weight_kg": null,
      "peds_age_min_months": null,
      "peds_age_max_months": null,
      "peds_age_bands": null,
      "peds_doses": null,
      "brands": [],
      "condition_id": "feeling-sad"
    }
  ]
}