- Who it is for
- Adults and adolescents
- Format
- In person (Istanbul) · Online
What depression is
Depression is not just “feeling bad”. It is a condition that can affect emotions, thoughts, the body and daily functioning together. A person may notice that they no longer enjoy the things they used to, that everything takes more effort, and that their thoughts about themselves and the future have become bleak.
A depressed mood can create a self-sustaining cycle: lack of motivation leads to doing less, doing less leads to fewer experiences of pleasure and achievement, and this in turn increases the lack of motivation.
What burnout is
Burnout is a state of emotional and mental exhaustion that follows long periods of unmet demands and constant overload. A person may feel drained, distant and unmotivated towards their work, and may start to struggle with tasks they used to do easily. Burnout and depression can have similar features; telling them apart is done together during assessment.
How it can show itself
- Long-lasting lack of motivation, loss of drive and being unable to enjoy life
- Constant tiredness, a clear drop in energy
- Changes in sleep and appetite
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Thoughts of worthlessness, inadequacy or hopelessness
- Withdrawing from social relationships and favourite activities
- Difficulty keeping up with daily responsibilities
These symptoms on their own do not mean a diagnosis. Assessment is made by looking at the whole of what is going on.
How we address it in therapy
My work is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is one of the approaches most widely researched for the treatment of depression. In the process:
- We rebuild daily life: We plan how to bring activities that give a sense of pleasure and achievement back into the person’s life, in small steps that match their energy.
- We look at thought patterns: We work on noticing overly negative judgements about yourself, others and the future, and on developing more balanced perspectives.
- We address burdens and boundaries: Especially in burnout, we review together the demands that drain the person, difficulties with setting boundaries and the space left for rest.
- We track progress: We review goals and change together at regular intervals.
When to seek support
If lack of motivation and low mood have lasted more than two weeks, are making your work, school, relationships or self-care harder, or the things you have tried on your own are not enough, talking to a mental health professional can help.
If you are thinking about ending your life or harming yourself, do not wait: call 112 in Türkiye (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between depression and temporary unhappiness?
Feeling sad, unmotivated or tired from time to time is a natural part of life. If these feelings last for weeks, affect many areas of life and make daily functioning clearly harder, it is helpful to have them assessed by a mental health professional.
Is burnout only about work?
Although burnout is mostly associated with working life, it can also arise from ongoing burdens such as caregiving, long-term academic pressure or heavy family responsibilities.
Might medication be needed during therapy?
A clinical psychologist does not prescribe medication. If it is considered necessary during assessment, a referral is made to a psychiatrist; therapy and psychiatric support can be carried out together.
This page is general information and is not a diagnosis, assessment or substitute for therapy. If you or someone else is in danger, call 112 in Türkiye or your local emergency number.