I am a teacher and I have felt truly dreadful at work in the run-up to Christmas. I think I am depressed. If I'm not fit to go back to the school in early January, would my GP give me a certificate? And if so, what diagnosis would she put on it?

Lots of teachers have a dreadful time in December.

If you're depressed - which seems likely - you should try and see your doc today, before everything closes down for Christmas. Yes, your GP would give you a certificate - probably putting "stress"

as the diagnosis.