Depression is one disorder
that knows no boundaries when it comes to age, gender, education level or
socio-economic class. It is a universal mental health crisis around the globe.
It is also a mental health disorder which can be effectively treated through
therapeutic intervention, holistic treatment programmes and a focus on
addressing the deep, underlying issues which lead to the sadness and loss of
enjoyment of life. According to the World Health Organization, there are more
than 350 million people around the world dealing with depression, with only a
fraction of those individuals reaching out for support and treatment. For many,
the sadness, helplessness and hopelessness that characterises the condition
becomes a part of them, but this doesn't have to be the case.
In France, the numbers are
virtually identical to the global information. This year, 1 in 5 people will
struggle with a mental health disorder, with depression and anxiety the most
prevalent. To add to this, one in five older adults will have depression, and
the episodes of the mood change can last for months, often becoming longer in
duration without treatment.
Recognising the Signs
The signs or symptoms of
depression are not the same as for sadness due to a loss or a negative change
in life. Instead, these are deep feelings that become oppressive, and they tend
to become worse and not better over time.
Typical signs or symptoms of
depression include:
• Extreme sadness without a specific cause
• Lack of enjoyment of things that were pleasurable in the
past
• Difficulty in coping with daily events or challenges
• Irritability, anger and agitation
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Feelings of being chronically physically and mentally
fatigued
• Difficulty in making decisions and poor problem-solving
skills
• Withdrawal and isolation even from family and close
friends
As depression can develop
slowly and over weeks or months, it may be very difficult for the individual to
see the onset of the depression. It is often family members or friends that
will be the first to identify changes in the individual.
Treatment Options
For patients in Paris and
the Île-de-France, we offer online depression treatment services via Skype and
WhatsApp. We use an integrated approach. Each treatment is uniquely designed
for the individual client, drawing on therapeutic options that are most suited
to providing the support needed.
All of our therapists use a
holistic approach to treatment. We look at you as a unique individual, with the
depression affecting more than just one area of your life. Through a range of
treatment options, we will create an environment for healing to occur. Learning
more about expressing emotionsis very effective for those with depression.
Our clients will learn about
themselves, about depression, and about coping mechanisms, stress reduction,
and positive lifestyle changes. Through this combination of treatment
opportunities our clients see amazing changes in their life, and the ability to
return to enjoying life and feeling good about themselves and the world around
them.
Can Depression Counselling
Really Provide Long Term Happiness in Life?
One of the complications or
implications of having depression is that it is very difficult to see a life
without looking through the lens of depression. Our clients often seem
reluctant to start depression counselling, not because they don’t believe in
counselling, but rather because they don’t believe in themselves.
This is not uncommon and our
trained psychotherapists that provide depression counselling to patients in
Paris understand this dynamic. Each of our professionals have years of
experience, some in international settings, in working with people that are
depressed.
By having the ability to see
where the person is at in the moment, empathize with them, and move them to a
different way of thinking, coping and acting, significant, positive and lasting
changes can be made by each of our clients.
What Depression Counselling
Focuses On
Our depression counselling programs
for patients in Paris and the Île-de-France region do not all look alike. In
the first session, your therapist will work with you to determine your goals
for treatment. Since everyone’s personal goals are unique and individual, so
are our treatment plans.
You will be an important
part of the treatment plan and will be actively involved in charting your
course forward through your sessions. We will select from a variety of
different psychotherapeutic tools including but limited to interpersonal therapy,
dialectic behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness,
but overall we use a holistic and integrated approach, which we find to be most
beneficial to our clients.
Changes Can and Do Happen
As you attend your scheduled
online sessions, you will find that your depression counselling becomes an
important part of your routine. Through talking with your therapist and working
thorough the exercises uniquely designed for your treatment plan you will begin
to notice changes in your life.
These changes don’t happen
all at once, just as you didn’t become depressed all at once. However, you will
begin to see that you are looking at life through a different lens now, one
that is much more positive, hopeful and satisfied.
Common changes that our
clients report include:
• An ability to cope with stress in a productive and
proactive manner
• Positive, healthy thoughts about others and the world
around you
• An ability to connect with others in a meaningful and
mutually beneficial way
• An ability to make lifestyle changes to limit stress,
triggers and problematic issues
• The ability to set goals and achieve them, celebrating
success at each point on the journey
• A healthier, more positive view of self, something that
may not have existed for many years prior to counselling.
While depression counselling
is not a short term treatment, it is highly successful for the patients that
make it a priority in their life. We are here to talk with you, to help you,
and to work with you so that you can live the positive, happy and satisfied
life you so richly desire and deserve.
