What happens when we feel a void so great inside that we don’t know how to let anyone reach us?
Although depressive states are not always accompanied by mood swings, both experiences share similarities, particularly in the struggle to feel that we can reach out to others or allow others to reach us.
During depressive episodes, we often lose interest in activities that once attracted us. It may feel as though our body is weighed down by an increased force of gravity, making movement difficult. Our senses slow down, affecting appetite, sleep, and other basic bodily responses.
Time seems to pass at a different rate than it does for others, and it becomes hard to concentrate or look forward with the calm and confidence in the future that we may have once enjoyed. This disconnect often makes us feel isolated from our surroundings, and for those around us, it can also be a painful experience, as they struggle to support us. This difficulty can lead to feelings of guilt or resentment, further complicating the situation.
When these emotional states are accompanied by mood swings, the experience can be even more destabilizing. The increased energy during these swings may feel like a welcome reprieve, tempting us to overcompensate and try to make up for lost time. However, this often leads to a cycle of unsustainable rigidity, disrupting our emotional balance.
Our health relies on the natural fluctuation of moods, and even joy is not desirable if it becomes a permanent state. Mood swings may also present as euphoric episodes that feel disconnected from reality or manifest in aggressive responses. During these periods, time may feel accelerated, further complicating our ability to connect with those around us and making it difficult for others to accompany us.
Therapy in these cases focuses on restoring the bridge that connects us to the world. Each person’s unique life circumstances require an eclectic therapeutic approach to identify the tools that best support their individual process.
If your struggles may have arisen or been influenced by your journey as an expat, particularly considering the losses associated with leaving behind your home and cultural identity, we invite you to explore our migratory grief treatment. You will find a dedicated calendar to schedule a first informational contact by following the link on this page.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
I invite you to get to know me and decide if I could be a good companion on the road.
within Reach
About me and how my practice offers mental health care to bring a sense of home to nationals and internationals.
Before we meet
Practical information before you start your therapeutic process so we can establish the boundaries of our relationship.
Here-and-now
The bridge between the different forms of human suffering we face and the therapeutic support to alleviate it.
Our next
Once your need for support has been addressed, you can decide which setting seems most appropriate for you to begin your journey to feeling better.
Psychology within Reach
Vuurvlindersingel, 403
3544 DB Utrecht
Netherlands
Phone +31 30 636 8981 info@psychologywithinreach.com
Mon.-Fri.– 9 am – 7:30 pm
