With the pace of today’s world, we often experience immense intervals of stress and anxiety. Many people find it difficult to stay organized, we may begin to procrastinate, or we can feel out of control. Over time, we often experience false beliefs such as, “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never complete this task,” “I can’t stop overeating,” “I need alcohol to get me through,” and the list goes on and on. These thoughts are habitual negative thoughts that our limbic systems have created throughout the years due to various experiences, but they are not valid or true. However, these feelings can cause real physical issues to take place in our lives, like shallow breathing, a rapid heart rate, emotional outbursts, gastrointestinal disorders, an increase in blood pressure, headaches, etc.
If left untreated, chronic stress is detrimental to our wellbeing. It can even play a role in exacerbating heart conditions and the risk of stroke or lead to suicidal thoughts. Learning to control anxiety or to seek medical help is critical for our overall health.
There are natural ways to begin to try to tamp down stress, such as when those false beliefs or physical symptoms emerge; deep breathing is a great way to calm the body and mind. A good tactic is to breathe deeply through the nose for 7 seconds, hold the breath for 4 seconds and exhale deeply for 10 seconds. Repeating this 4 times is usually all it takes to feel a physical sense of calm.
It’s also beneficial to take a walk, journal your thoughts, take a warm bath, or meditate. There are many helpful meditation guidance channels on YouTube or via other apps you can download.
Garnering control over our thoughts and circumstances is not always so easily achieved. If you need help, DON’T WAIT. Talk to your doctor about counseling, medications, or other treatment options available. Some of the most common drug classes prescribed for depression and anxiety are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The widely known drugs, like Prozac, Zoloft, and Cymbalta play a role in how the neurotransmitters affect the mood by lessening anxiety levels and creating a sense of more peace and tranquility for patients.
Symptoms of Depression
• Increased anxiety
• Poor concentration
• Sadness
• Loss of energy
• Problems sleeping
• Loss of interest
• Feel helpless or hopeless
• Decreased self-worth
• Poor or increased appetite
• Avoiding people, even family or close friends
• Difficulty functioning at school or work
• Increased guilt
• Physical pains
• Decreased libido
• Thoughts of suicide or death
• Self-harming
If you experience four or more of these symptoms throughout most of the day for two weeks in a row, it’s time to talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.
Well-Being Medical Center of Naples
Preventative Care: Our office offers all standard routine health exams for all patients. If further testing is needed, we will create a comprehensive plan to help each patient reach their optimal health.
Health Consultations: Our staff is composed of health professionals who are experts in their field. We work with our patients through one-on-one consultations to prioritize health goals and address any health concerns.
Patient Satisfaction: Our top priority is patient satisfaction. We go the extra mile to create and execute on individualize treatment plans to make sure each patient understands their heath journey from start to finish.
Contact Well-Being Medical Center of Naples today at (239) 315-7801.
Dr. Ricardo Martinez
Dr. Ricardo Martinez is an internist in Naples, FL and is affiliated with NCH Baker Hospital. He received his medical degree from Superior Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba and has been in practice 20 years. He also speaks multiple languages, including Spanish. He specializes in hospital medicine, ambulatory care and is experienced in hospice and palliative medicine, bariatric medicine, diabetes mellitus, food allergy, and infectious disease. As of March 16th, 2020, Dr. Martinez has founded Well-Being Medical center in Naples Florida. He is looking forward to providing Medical care within primary care settings and urgent care service throughout the Naples Florida area.
Well-Being Medical Centers
239-315-7801
www.well-beingmedicalcenter.org
851 5th Ave. N. Suite 102, Naples, FL 34102