Do you feel hopeless and sad more often than not? Are you feeling unmotivated? Have you lost interest in the things that once brought you joy?
Depression is very common and can happen to anyone. Depression has been shown to affect people across all cultures and ages. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide. Depression can affect anyone at any point in our lives. But, it is important to know that depression is among the most treatable disorders.
Signs and symptoms of depression
Depression is more than short-lived low feelings and emotional responses to challenging days or situations. Depression is a serious disorder that affects our quality of life and ability to perform everyday tasks. Over time, depression can negatively affect our physical health. Symptoms of depression include:
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, and hopelessness
- Irritability and frustration, even over small upsets and setbacks
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be pleasurable
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Anxiety and agitation
- Trouble concentrating
- Persistent feelings of emptiness
- Frequent thoughts about death and suicide
- Sleeping too much or inability to sleep
- Unexplained physical problems such as headaches, backaches, and digestive problems
If you would like to read the full list of symptoms and signs of depression, click here.
Why Gestalt?
Depression doesn’t occur because of one specific trigger. Depression is thought to be caused by a range of issues and circumstances. Gestalt therapy treats the whole person and is based on the principle that humans consist of a body, mind, and soul.
A recent systematic study found that Gestalt therapy was effective in reducing depression. Gestalt therapists focus on what is happening at the moment and hold the assumption that we can find creative solutions to our problems. Gestalt therapy takes the approach that to heal unresolved pain, anger, anxiety, and other negative feelings, we need to do more than talk about these emotions. We also need to express them so they can be processed and let go. If these difficult emotions are not processed and resolved, they can cause ongoing psychological and physical symptoms.
Therapy can help you get back to feeling better. Together, we can heal your whole self so you can become motivated again and set new goals for yourself. From this new place of wellbeing, you can reconnect with yourself and others.
Christina Winkler provides therapy in Nice, France, or online. If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to call and book your first appointment or fill out the contact form and click send.