Alexis
Pagomenos
Psychology
Low Mood & Depression
Therapy in Brisbane
Have You Been Feeling Like You're Just Not Yourself Lately?
Do you feel like something is missing, but you're not quite sure how to explain it?
Maybe you're getting through the day, going to work or university and keeping up with responsibilities, but underneath it all, you're feeling flat, disconnected or like you're just going through the motions.
You might recognise some of these experiences:
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Struggling to find motivation or energy to do things you used to enjoy.
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Cancelling plans, withdrawing from friends or spending more time alone.
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Feeling like you're falling behind in life, or that everyone else seems to have things figured out.
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Spending a lot of time being hard on yourself, feeling like you're not doing enough or aren't where you should be.
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Finding it difficult to imagine things getting better.
You might not feel sad all the time. Sometimes low mood shows up as irritability, frustration, emotional exhaustion or simply not feeling much of anything. You might know that you want things to be different, but struggle to find the energy or motivation to make changes.
What Does Living with Low Mood Feel Like?
When you're experiencing low mood, even everyday things can start to feel like a lot of effort. Getting out of bed, responding to messages, making plans or looking after yourself might take more energy than it used to.
You might find yourself putting things off, withdrawing from people or spending more time scrolling, watching TV or distracting yourself just to get through the day.
You might also spend a lot of time thinking about where you are in life, comparing yourself to others and feeling frustrated that things aren't how you imagined they would be. Even when something positive happens, it can be difficult to enjoy it or feel excited about what's ahead.
Over time, this can become a frustrating cycle. The less you do, the more disconnected and stuck you feel, making it even harder to take the steps that might help you feel better.
You're Not Alone in This
Low mood and depression are common experiences, but that doesn't make them any easier to live with.
It can be particularly difficult when you feel like you should be happy, have no obvious reason to feel this way or struggle to explain what's going on to the people around you.
You might even feel guilty for struggling when things look okay from the outside.
But you don't need to reach a breaking point or have everything fall apart before seeking support.
Feeling More Like Yourself Again Is Possible
When you've been feeling low for a while, it can be difficult to imagine things being different. You might have tried telling yourself to be more positive, pushing yourself to get things done or waiting for things to improve on their own.
Sometimes though, the patterns that develop around low mood can keep you feeling stuck. You might withdraw from people, stop doing things you once enjoyed, put off important tasks or become increasingly critical of yourself. While these responses can make things feel more manageable in the short term, they can also make it harder to reconnect with the things that give your life meaning and enjoyment.
The good news is that you can learn to respond differently to low mood and start making changes, even when motivation is low.
I work with young adults in their 20's and 30's who are struggling with low mood, depression and feeling stuck in patterns that aren't helping them live the life they want.
I understand how difficult it can be to feel stuck in unhelpful patterns, and also how important it is to find a way forward that feels achievable.
Therapy can help you understand what's contributing to your low mood, develop different ways of responding to difficult thoughts and feelings, and gradually reconnect with the people, activities and experiences that matter to you.
The goal isn't to suddenly feel happy all the time. It's to feel more engaged in your life, have more energy for the things that matter and feel more like yourself again.
What Will Therapy for Low Mood & Depression look like?
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already struggling with motivation or energy.
My aim is to create a space where you feel comfortable, understood, and able to talk openly without feeling judged.
In our first session, we'll spend time understanding what you've been experiencing, how long you've been feeling this way and how it's affecting different areas of your life.
We'll also explore what you'd like to be different. You don't need to have all the answers or know exactly where to start. We'll work it out together.
Next we'll explore the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that might be contributing to your low mood.
This could include withdrawing from others, avoiding things that feel difficult, being overly critical of yourself or getting caught up in unhelpful thinking patterns.
We'll work on practical strategies to help you respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings, build healthier patterns and gradually re-engage in activities that bring a sense of enjoyment, achievement, or connection.
Progress looks different for everyone. It might mean having the motivation to make plans with friends, getting back into hobbies, feeling less critical of yourself, managing difficult days differently or feeling more hopeful about the future.
I work to tailor therapy to your experiences, needs and goals.
We'll work at a pace that feels manageable while helping you take steps towards a life that feels more fulfilling.
You May Have Some Concerns. That's Okay.
What if I don't know why I'm feeling this way?
You don't need to have a clear explanation for why you're feeling low before coming to therapy. Sometimes there isn't one obvious reason. We can explore what's been happening in your life and work towards understanding what might be contributing to how you're feeling.
What if I don't have the motivation or energy to do therapy?
That's okay. Low motivation and energy are often part of what brings people to therapy in the first place. You don't need to arrive feeling motivated or ready to make big changes. We'll work together to identify small, manageable steps that feel achievable.
What if I've already tried to make changes and nothing seems to work?
It can be frustrating when you've tried to feel better but keep finding yourself stuck back in the same patterns. Therapy offers an opportunity to build insight and understanding into what's keeping you stuck, what's getting in the way of you making change, and exploring different ways of responding to help you get unstuck. We can work together to find an approach that makes sense for you.
Do I have to commit to ongoing therapy after reaching out?
Not at all! There's absolutely no pressure to book a session afterwards. Reaching out to our reception team is simply an opportunity for you to see whether we might be a good fit, and for you to understand how therapy could help.
How do I take the next step?
If you've been feeling flat, disconnected, unmotivated or like you're just going through the motions, you don't have to keep trying to figure it all out on your own.
You don't need to wait until things become overwhelming to reach out. I'd love to hear about what you've been experiencing and talk with you about what working together might look like.
Contact us today. There's no pressure or obligation to book a therapy session afterwards.
Get In Touch
Ready to take the next step? I am ready when you are.
Contact Information
I work as part of the team at My Psych Clinic, in Eight Mile Plains.
Get in touch with our friendly reception team to book a session or answer any questions.
Level 1 Building 10/107 Miles Platting Rd, Eight Mile Plains QLD 4113
Please note that I am unable to respond to emergency or crisis situations. If you, or someone else, requires immediate emergency support, please contact emergency services on 000, Lifeline (24 hr service) on 13 11 14, Mental Health Access Line (24 hr service) on 1300 64 22 55, 13YARN - 13 92 76, or visit your nearest hospital emergency department.
