Psychological symptoms can present themselves in different ways. You can feel unease, but find it difficult to pinpoint exactly what is wrong. Your thoughts and emotions may feel chaotic or overwhelming or you might not feel anything at all. It is also possible that you experience physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.
In psychology, we distinguish symptoms and diagnoses. Symptoms describe how you feel; they are words that help you express what you feel or experience. For example, you may experience symptoms such as concentration issues, panic, loneliness, or low self esteem.
Not all symptoms require treatment by a psychologist. Symptoms can be a natural response to a life event. Think of grief after losing a loved one, or stress following an intense period in your life.
Treatment is only necessary when there is also a diagnosis. A diagnosis is the professional medical interpretation of symptoms. It is made by a healthcare professional after assessment and follows the internationally recognised classification system of the DSM-5. Examples of diagnoses include depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The same symptoms can occur with different diagnoses.
Describing your symptoms helps you formulate your request for help. A diagnosis helps the professional to design the most appropriate treatment. Care is only reimbursed when a diagnosis is present. Receiving a diagnosis in itself does not reduce symptoms.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the care we provide, our psychologists and all questions regarding treatments.
That’s completely normal. Many people experience psychological symptoms without knowing exactly what’s causing them. You don’t have to figure it out yourself. During the intake, we’ll work together to understand what’s going on and what suits you.
You don’t need to fit into one box. Maybe you’re experiencing tension and sadness, or racing thoughts and fatigue. Our treatments are tailored to your situation, not just to a label.
You can register with us without a referral, but a referral letter from your GP is required for reimbursement through basic health insurance.
You don’t need to wait until things get worse. If your symptoms are affecting your daily life — at work, in relationships, or within yourself — that’s reason enough to seek help.
After your registration, we’ll schedule an intake. In this session, you’ll talk with a psychologist about your symptoms, your needs, and your goals. Based on that, we’ll create a treatment plan together.
