Depression

Depression is more than "just a low mood." It's a prolonged state of diminished energy, motivation, and the capacity to feel joy — often accompanied by changes in appetite, sleep, and the way you think about yourself. It can develop slowly over years, or it can appear suddenly after a loss, a major life change, or prolonged stress. It doesn't discriminate — it can affect anyone, at any age, regardless of how "together" their life might look from the outside.

For people living abroad, depression often intertwines with a sense of alienation, distance from loved ones, and the pressure to "not complain, since you chose to emigrate." Professional support can help you understand what's happening and explore your options — sometimes that means working through thoughts and emotions in therapy, sometimes it also involves a psychiatric consultation. Reaching out for help is, in itself, an act of self-care.