“Many times, we believe we are self-sufficient and do not go to therapy, we relegate ourselves by giving more importance to helping others before helping ourselves. Only if we take care of our mental health, we can help others, otherwise, our personal, family, and work life will be affected. Having good mental health helps us to make good decisions, to progress in our achievements, and not to be interrupted by the aggravating symptoms of anxiety or depression,” says Antonella Galli, cognitive behavioral psychotherapist of our clinic.

How to recognize when professional help is needed?

If you find it difficult to perform your daily activities at home, work, or school, it is necessary to investigate the causes:

• Symptoms of depression include difficulty sleeping, low energy, lack of motivation, irritability, increased sensitivity, concentration problems, changes in appetite, increased insecurity, and increased negative thoughts about oneself, others, and the future.
• In the case of anxiety, symptoms include body tension, pain in several parts of the body, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, increased heart rate and hyper-alertness, sensitivity to noise, and startling and catastrophic thoughts of the future.
• If you have sustained stress over time, it will cause muscle tension, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, increased blood sugar, and irritability.
• If you do not overcome traumatic events of the past and avoid any situation that is similar, you can damage your personal, family, and work life.
• Unresolved grief can lead to depression, because of persistent thoughts about the void left by the person who is no longer present.

Our specialist recommends:

• Make yourself a priority and take care of your physical and mental health.
• Balance your time with sports, relaxation, and meditation to reduce stress.
• Sleep 7 to 8 hours a day to avoid elevated cortisol (stress hormone).
• Surround yourself with people who balance you emotionally. The stress level is reduced if you have social support.
• Seek professional help and accompaniment if you are facing anxiety, depression, prolonged grief, or unresolved traumas.

Antonella Galli
Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist at Clínica Ricardo Palma