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What can you come to us with?
Mood disorders
The world loses its colour, ordinary tasks become harder and harder, and the things that once brought joy stop mattering. Depression and other mood disorders can build up over months until they become a new normal, taking away your energy and your sense of meaning. At the Unique Psychological Practice in Warsaw we help you name this state, understand it and come out of it for good.
Book a visitA low mood happens to all of us and usually passes on its own. We speak of a mood disorder when the dejection lasts for weeks, spreads across every area of life and begins to take away your ability to function day to day.
Depression is often mistaken for laziness or weakness of character. In reality it is a disorder with both biological and psychological roots, and willpower alone cannot defeat it. It can, however, be treated effectively.
The advice to "pull yourself together" has never helped anyone out of depression - unlike professional support.
Is this how you feel?
You do not need to have all of these symptoms - if even some of them sound familiar, let us talk.
Talk to a psychologist- For weeks you have felt dejected, sad or strangely empty.
- The things that used to bring you joy have stopped meaning anything.
- You feel tired the moment you wake up, and the lack of energy stays with you all day.
- Ordinary duties take an effort that is harder and harder to summon.
- You struggle to concentrate, to make a decision or to finish what you started.
- You sleep far more or far less than you used to.
- You go through violent mood swings: from heightened energy to complete exhaustion.
- You feel that you are a burden to others.
Which mood disorders do we work with?
Depression
What it is
A depressive episode means a lowering of mood lasting at least two weeks, accompanied by a drop in energy and a loss of interest. For some people it happens once; for others it takes the form of recurrent depression.
How it may show up
A sense of hopelessness, slowed thinking and movement, disturbed sleep and appetite, guilt, thoughts of being worthless. Another common symptom of depression is anhedonia - the inability to feel pleasure.
How therapy helps
Together we look for the roots of your condition and examine the beliefs that keep it going. Treating depression restores contact with your own needs and gradually rebuilds the capacity to experience good moments.
Low mood and dejection
What it is
Not every dip in wellbeing meets the criteria for depression - but you deserve support then too. A chronically low mood that lasts for months or even years quietly takes the joy out of life.
How it may show up
Apathy, lack of motivation, a feeling that nothing is worth doing, irritability, a sense that life is passing you by. Many people go on functioning normally at work and pay for it with enormous fatigue.
How therapy helps
It is worth acting before the condition deepens. In therapy we look at what has been draining you for a long time and work on solutions that let you recover your mood and your energy.
Seasonal affective disorder
What it is
Seasonal depression returns at a particular time of year, most often in autumn and winter, as the days shorten and sunlight becomes scarce.
How it may show up
Sleepiness despite long nights, increased appetite (especially for carbohydrates), a drop in energy and in the desire to see people. The symptoms usually ease in spring, only to return in the next season.
How therapy helps
We help you prepare for the harder months and work out strategies that soften how they unfold.
Bipolar disorder
What it is
Bipolar disorder involves alternating episodes of depression and of mania or hypomania. The periods in between can be entirely calm.
How it may show up
In the manic phase there is heightened energy, a reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts and risky decisions. Hypomania brings the same symptoms in a milder form and lasts a shorter time. Such a period is usually followed by a depressive phase.
How therapy helps
Pharmacotherapy is the foundation of treatment in bipolar disorder, and psychotherapy is an important complement to it. We help you recognise the early signals of a phase change and cope better with its effect on relationships and work.
How we help with mood disorders
In depression even booking an appointment can feel like a challenge beyond your strength - we understand that. You do not have to prepare for the first meeting or plan anything in advance. At the Unique Psychological Practice you will meet neither judgement nor pressure.
- 1
We start with a conversation
During the first visit we look at how you feel, since when, and what has changed in your life. We establish whether a psychiatric consultation is also needed.
- 2
We look for the causes
Together we reach the sources of your condition and help you understand what keeps it going today.
- 3
We rebuild your resources
Step by step you return to the activities, relationships and decisions that once felt out of reach. Improvement comes gradually, but consistently.
You do not have to wait for it to "pass by itself"
Depression rarely goes away on its own, but you can feel better - even if that is hard to believe today. Book a consultation in Warsaw or online and see how much it changes to talk with someone who understands what you are going through.
Pick a slot in our calendar here
The booking calendar is only available in Polish. Prefer to book in English? Call or write to us and we will arrange it.
The booking calendar is only available in Polish. Prefer to book in English? Call or write to us and we will arrange it.
Patients' most frequent questions about mood disorders
How do I know whether it is depression or bipolar disorder?
Pay attention to any periods of heightened energy. If your phases of dejection are followed by moments when you sleep far less, have plenty of ideas and make decisions faster than usual, it is worth mentioning during the consultation. It is precisely those episodes that distinguish bipolar disorder from recurrent depression, and they are decisive for the choice of treatment.
Is psychotherapy enough for mood disorders, or is medication needed?
In milder states psychotherapy can be enough. In severe depression and in bipolar disorder the best results come from combining therapy with pharmacotherapy (medication is decided on by a psychiatrist).
How long does treating depression take?
The first signs of improvement usually appear after a few weeks of regular work, although the full process takes longer. Much depends on how severe the symptoms are and how long they have lasted.
How can I help a loved one with depression?
What matters most is being there without judgement and without advice along the lines of 'pull yourself together'. It helps to offer something concrete, for example booking an appointment with a specialist together.
Where can I find help with mood disorders in Warsaw?
You are welcome to seek support from a psychologist - we see people in person in Ursynow and online. You do not need any referral; simply write, call or book a visit in the calendar.