Feeling low or depression?

It is normal to feel sad, discouraged or flat after a disappointment, a loss or a difficult period. These moments pass, often within a few days, and do not stop you from carrying on with your life, enjoying things or looking ahead.

Depression is different. It sets in over time, for at least two weeks, and affects every part of life: mood, energy, the body, thinking and relationships. It is neither a lack of willpower nor a character trait: it is a common illness from which people recover. According to Santé publique France, the French public health agency, around one in eight people aged 18 to 85 in France experienced a depressive episode in 2021.

Signs of depression

Depression usually combines several of the following, nearly every day:

  • sadness, emptiness or irritability that does not go away;
  • loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy;
  • significant fatigue, the feeling that everything takes effort;
  • sleep problems: waking at night or early in the morning, or on the contrary needing to sleep a lot;
  • changes in appetite or weight;
  • difficulty concentrating or making decisions;
  • feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt;
  • slowing down, or on the contrary inner restlessness;
  • thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts.

Depression can also show up in less visible ways: physical pain, unusual irritability, withdrawal, increasing alcohol use, or, for some people, a way of “holding it together” at all costs on the outside while everything takes enormous effort inside. After a move abroad, it is sometimes mistaken for simple homesickness or adjustment fatigue.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, do not wait for an appointment: in France, call 3114, free and available 24/7, or 15 in an emergency. Outside France, contact your local emergency services or suicide prevention line.

What causes depression?

There is no single cause. Depression most often results from a combination of factors: a personal or family vulnerability, life history, difficult events (bereavement, separation, conflict, job loss, illness), prolonged exhaustion at work or at home, isolation, or periods of hormonal upheaval such as the postpartum period or perimenopause. It can also occur without any identifiable trigger, which makes it all the more disconcerting.

Understanding what contributed to the depression is part of the therapeutic work. It helps you move beyond guilt (“I should be fine”) and prevent relapse.

How I can help

Psychotherapy is one of the recommended treatments for depression. In mild to moderate forms it is often offered first; in more severe forms it is combined with medication prescribed by a doctor. Drawing on my experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, I can recognise situations that call for a medical opinion, and I then work alongside your GP or a psychiatrist, in France or in your home country.

My support is based on an integrative approach:

  • Supporting daily life. When everything feels heavy, we start with what helps in practice: getting back into a rhythm, gradually reintroducing activities that feel meaningful or bring a little pleasure, noticing very self-critical thoughts and stepping back from them. This is what cognitive behavioural tools offer.
  • Understanding and making sense. We explore what the depression says about your history, your losses, your relationships and your needs. Psychoanalytic and existential approaches allow this deeper work.
  • Taking loved ones into account. Depression also affects those close to you, and relationships often play a role both in how it develops and in recovery. The systemic approach takes this into account; sessions with a partner or family members can be offered if you find that helpful.

To find out more, see my approach.

How sessions work

The first appointment is a conversation: you describe what you are going through, I ask a few questions and together we look at what might help. Sessions then last about 50 minutes, at a frequency agreed together and adjusted over time.

I see clients at the Cabinet paramédical des Brotteaux, 134 rue de Sèze, Lyon 6th. When leaving home takes too much energy, video sessions make it possible to stay in touch, including from abroad. Sessions are available in English, French and Portuguese. Fees are listed on the home page.

Frequently asked questions

How can I help someone who seems depressed?

Listen without minimising (“pull yourself together”) or trying to fix everything, tell them what you have noticed and that you are worried about them, and encourage them to see a doctor or a psychologist. If you sense suicidal thoughts, talk to them about it directly and seek help: in France, 3114 also advises family and friends.

Is psychotherapy enough, or are antidepressants needed?

It depends on how severe the depression is. In mild to moderate forms, psychotherapy alone is often appropriate. In severe forms, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is generally recommended. That decision is a medical one; I can help you see things more clearly and refer you.

What if I do not have the energy to come to the practice?

Video consultations via Doctolib are the same fee as in person. They can be a good way to start when even the smallest journey feels impossible.

Useful resources