By: Tito Orlando Ortiz, MPHE
Identifying when a person is experiencing stress or anxiety can sometimes be confusing. However, these are two distinct mental health conditions that can appear temporarily or extensively in a person.
According to Dr. Iván Báez, a psychologist at Centro Ararat, stress is a reaction to an event, while anxiety is a fear or excessive worry about a particular situation.
"Yes, anxiety can be a reaction to stress, but it can also occur in people who are not necessarily experiencing a stressful event," said the psychologist. He also took the opportunity to add several tips for managing stress and anxiety:
- Find things to do in your daily life: talk to people and share with friends, family, or people in a support group.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: follow a diet, exercise, and get enough sleep.
- Avoid the use of alcohol and drugs
- Identify coping strategies: understand what causes you stress or anxiety, and practice ways to deal with it, such as breathing exercises or meditation.
Similarly, Báez pointed out that anxiety—if not treated with personal strategies or by a mental health specialist—could lead to various health conditions that would affect a person's quality of life, such as post-traumatic stress, muscle spasms, and urinary incontinence.
Our goal is to help people feel empowered to face the decisions in their daily lives," said the doctor.
The six Centro Ararat clinics Centro Ararat psychological services to anyone who wishes to receive them. For more information about these mental health services, please call 787-296-8888.
Related topics
