ASK THE PSYCHOLOGIST
02
MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH by Tracey-Ann Coley, PhD
Tracey-Ann E. Coley is a Clinical Psychologist who operates a private
Q: Dr. Coley, you are an expert in helping
practice in Kingston, Jamaica. Her
people
areas
to
overcome
mental
health
of
clinical
include
challenges, anxiety and depression. Can you
psychotherapy
tell us about some of the main reasons why
children with a variety of issues
you have decided to focus on these areas in
including anxiety, depression, grief,
your practice?
and academic challenges. Dr. Coley is
A. That’s an interesting question! In a lot of ways, I think anxiety and depression chose me! The fact is that I entered the profession to be of service to others who were in mental and
also
a
Psychology,
with
focus
Lecturer and
adults
in
and
Sociology,
Social
Work
Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.
emotional pain. The reality is that anxiety
problematic when we experience them
and depression have become two of the
so
most
functioning or cause personal distress.
common
forms
of
pathology
that
intensely
that
they
disrupt
our
individuals experience. Almost every one of us will have an experience of anxiety or at
Anxiety is characterized by excessive
least intense sadness at least once in our
worry about a range of things like what
lives.
others are thinking about you, animals, closed spaces like elevators, academic
B. As noted above, anxiety and depression
grades, work pressure, etc. Physical
are
symptoms include increased heart rate,
also
two
of
the
most
debilitating
conditions that functioning individuals can
stomach
pain,
experience. So, these “functional” individuals
mouth,
diarrhea,
carry the weight of intensely negative and
Mentally,
people
uncomfortable emotions while having to go
concentrating
to school, go to work, parent, and interact
concentration.
with others as though they are ok. Because
lapses in motivation and feel mentally
these are internalized states most people
confused.
won’t
know
that
these
individuals
muscular
aches,
and can
insomnia.
have
or They
dry
trouble
sustaining may
also
have
are
suffering from anxiety or depression unless
Depression is characterized by sad or
the sufferer shares this information. As a
pessimistic thoughts that invade the
result, it can be a very lonely experience.
mind and are difficult to control. These
Given
was
thoughts
are
usually
important for individuals experiencing these
negative
and
leave
conditions to have a place to go for help. I
feeling badly about themselves and
believe
their prospects socially, interpersonally,
these
in
factors,
I
thought
nontraditional
as
it
well
as
self-critical the
or
or
individual
traditional forms of therapy so people have
professionally,
academically.
options in terms of how they can help
Physical symptoms include tearfulness,
themselves.
difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than the normal, loss of appetite or
Q: Can you explain to us in layman’s
increased
terms how these symptoms may manifest
wanting to be alone, and feelings of
in our lives?
helplessness or hopelessness.
It is important to note that anxiety and
Q: I have seen more recently that the
sadness are normal, important emotions. We
rates of mental illnesses such as
all experience these emotional states to
depression
varying
astronomical,
extents.
They
however
become
eating
and more
to
self-soothe,
anxiety
are
so
the
since
Covid-19 Pandemic. Can you provide us with further explanations on why this is the case?
There are several reasons why we would be
The pandemic also brought news of
seeing increased anxiety and depression
death and many people lost members
rates. Covid-19 is the first pandemic that this
of
generation has been through. As a result, the
compounded because people were not
world was plagued by fear, uncertainty, and
able to complete cultural rituals like
confusion. Anything that induces this type of
nine-night celebrations and funerals.
response on a global or even localized level
Furthermore, even those who were not
would
touched
lead
to
panic,
depression,
and
their
families.
by
The
personal
grief
loss
was
reported
extreme interpersonal violence caused by
increased death anxiety; that is, fear of
pent-up frustration.
dying, and of losing loved ones. These are just some of the stresses created by
One specific source for the increase in
the pandemic that contributed to the
distress can be attributed to the mandatory
large numbers of individuals reporting
lockdowns. We are social beings, especially
clinically significant levels of anxiety
in Jamaica. Culturally we put a premium on
and sadness.
connection and family. We also tend to be outside people; that is, we go to the beach,
Q: I have often found that clinical
play sports, and attend sporting events. This
diagnoses, such as depression and
was
the
anxiety may be interpreted as a label
internal
and in some sense, may even be
virtually
pandemic
eliminated
thus
during
creating
an
imbalance and dissociation from who we
internalized
are. This dissonance would naturally increase
there another way that persons can
anxiety
levels
look
people
lost
and their
sadness. jobs
Additionally,
which
created
financial stress and hardship making them again vulnerable to negative mood states.
at
diagnosis?
as a
one’s
identity.
Is
clinical/psychiatric
I think it is important for people who experience anxiety
and
depression
to
understand
that
everyone feels these emotions. So, the experience of the emotion is not unique. Unfortunately, some individuals experience these negative states more frequently than is typical. It is important to be patient
and
compassionate
with
yourself.
A
physical illness such as the flu or Covid that does not dictate a person’s identity, mental illness should be given the same consideration, it is a mental illness, not who the person is. Like physical illness, mental illness has its own management which
can
be
effectively
addressed
through
therapy and for more severe cases a combination of medication and therapy. Q: Now that we are resuming face to face, are there any tips on how to cope, especially for those with a clinical/psychiatric diagnosis?
If you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, please ensure that you maintain a treatment protocol; whether it includes outside assistance or self-help strategies. I recommend that individuals learn to prioritize – giving in to undue pressure and stress
makes
increase
it
more
vulnerability
likely to
that both
individuals conditions.
Additionally, maintain healthy routines such as regular
exercise,
meditation,
a
balanced
diet,
maintaining contact with loved ones, taking time to
connect
socially,
developing
interests
or
hobbies outside of school or one’s profession, committing to staying present, that is, enjoying or appreciating the blessings in your current life, doing gratitude journaling. If your condition is severe, seek help from a therapist or psychiatrist. Also, be mindful that re-entering social spaces after two years of isolation and restrictions may be draining. Know that it is ok to calibrate your social exposure; that is, start out with small intimate gatherings and make alternative plans so that you are able to leave if you start to feel overwhelmed. The most important thing is to re-engage with life – let go of avoidant tendencies and embrace connection.