Psychiatrist

When your mood interferes with the way you feel, think, and live

Depression is not simply about feeling sad. It can present as apathy, loss of interest, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt, changes in sleep or appetite, and a negative view of oneself and the future.

There are also other mood disorders characterized by intense emotional fluctuations, periods of excessive activation, or significant changes from a person’s usual level of functioning. For this reason, an accurate diagnostic assessment is essential before establishing a treatment plan.

When should you seek help?

• If sadness, apathy, or irritability persist.
• If you have lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.
• If you find it difficult to work, relate to others, or manage your responsibilities.
• If you experience significant changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels.
• If you experience periods of abnormally elevated mood, reduced need for sleep, or excessive activity.
• If you experience thoughts of death or feelings of hopelessness.

How can I help you?

I assess your clinical situation, personal history, life events, and any relevant family history. I also analyze how the symptoms have developed over time in order to distinguish between an emotional reaction, a depressive episode, and other mood disorders.

Treatment is tailored to each person and may include psychotherapy, medication, and psychiatric follow-up. My goal is to help you regain emotional stability and prevent future relapses.

When worry and tension begin to limit your life

Anxiety is a normal response to certain situations. However, when it persists over time, appears without a clear reason, or becomes difficult to control, it can significantly affect your well-being and everyday life.

It can manifest as constant worry, a sense of threat, irritability, difficulty switching off, muscle tension, chest tightness, palpitations, digestive problems, or panic attacks. In some cases, it can also lead you to avoid places, activities, or situations that were previously part of your life.

When should you seek help?

• If worry occupies a large part of your day.
• If you experience panic attacks or intense fear.
• If you avoid certain situations for fear of feeling unwell.
• If anxiety affects your sleep, work, or relationships.
• If physical symptoms persist despite normal medical examinations.

How can I help you?

I carry out an individualized psychiatric assessment to identify the causes and characteristics of your anxiety, rule out other associated problems, and determine the most appropriate approach.

Depending on each case, treatment may include psychotherapy, recommendations regarding lifestyle habits and, when indicated, medication. The aim is to help you understand what you are experiencing, reduce your symptoms, and gradually regain your independence and well-being.

Specialized care helps to understand the symptoms and take action as early as possible.

Psychotic disorders can cause changes in perception, thinking, behavior, or the interpretation of reality. A person may feel watched or threatened, express ideas that are difficult to share with others, hear voices, or show isolation, mistrust, and significant changes in their usual functioning.

These symptoms can appear in different conditions and may also be related to certain medical situations, substance use, or medication. Their presence alone does not necessarily indicate a specific diagnosis.

When should you seek help?

• If thoughts or perceptions appear that cause fear or confusion.
• If there is increasing mistrust or a sense of threat.
• If there is social withdrawal or abandonment of usual activities.
• If thinking or speech becomes disorganized.
• If you notice marked changes in a family member’s behavior.
• If there are difficulties following treatment or frequent relapses.

How can I help you?

I carry out a comprehensive psychiatric assessment to examine the symptoms, how they have developed, previous functioning, and possible causes. When appropriate, I also include information from the family and coordinate with other professionals involved.

Treatment may include psychiatric follow-up, medication, psychotherapeutic intervention, and family guidance. The aim is to reduce symptoms, promote stability, and preserve independence and quality of life as much as possible.

When certain ways of feeling and relating to others repeatedly cause difficulties

We all have our own personality traits. We speak of a personality disorder when certain patterns of thinking, emotion, behavior, or relating to others persist over time, are inflexible, and cause significant distress or ongoing difficulties in different areas of life.

They may manifest as emotional instability, impulsivity, fear of abandonment, mistrust, rigidity, difficulty managing conflict, feelings of emptiness, or repeated problems in relationships. The presence of some of these traits alone does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis.

When should you seek help?

• If conflicts or breakups repeatedly occur in your relationships.
• If you experience very intense emotions that are difficult to regulate.
• If you act impulsively and later regret the consequences.
• If you have an unstable or very negative self-image.
• If fear of rejection or abandonment affects your relationships.
• If you experience frequent crises, self-harming behaviors, or significant difficulty coping with frustration.

How can I help you?

I carry out a detailed clinical assessment of your personal history, your way of relating to others, and how these difficulties have evolved over time. It is important to distinguish these patterns from other problems that may present with similar symptoms, such as mood disorders, traumatic experiences, substance use, or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Psychotherapy is the main treatment. When specific symptoms or associated disorders are present, medication may also be considered. The aim is to improve emotional regulation, understand the patterns that cause distress, and promote more stable relationships and coping strategies.

Ongoing poor sleep affects every aspect of your daily functioning

Insomnia can manifest as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, waking up too early, or feeling that you have not had enough rest.  When it persists, it can lead to fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and worsening mood or anxiety.

Not all sleep problems have the same cause. They may be related to worries, poor sleep habits, life changes, medical conditions, substance use, or certain psychiatric disorders. For this reason, it is important to assess each case individually.

When should you seek help?

• If you have difficulty sleeping several nights a week.
• If the problem persists and affects you during the day.
• If you regularly need medication to fall asleep.
• If insomnia is accompanied by anxiety, sadness, or irritability.
• If there have been significant changes in how much sleep you need.

How can I help you?

I assess your sleep patterns, the factors that may be contributing to the problem, and whether other medical or psychological symptoms may be present.

The approach may include changes to sleep habits, psychotherapeutic intervention and, when necessary, medication for an appropriate period and under suitable conditions. If there are signs of a specific sleep disorder, it may be necessary to coordinate further assessment with other specialists.

When substance use begins to take control of your life

An addiction is not defined solely by the amount or frequency of substance use. It develops when alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, certain medications, or other substances begin to play a central role in a person’s life and it becomes difficult to reduce or stop their use, even when they are causing negative consequences.

In many cases, substances are used to relieve anxiety, help with sleep, cope with emotional difficulties, or disconnect from certain situations. Substance use may also coexist with depression, anxiety, difficulties with impulse control, or other psychiatric problems that need to be identified.

When should you seek help?

• If you have tried to reduce or stop your substance use and have been unable to do so.
• If you need increasing amounts to achieve the same effect.
• If substance use is affecting your health, work, or relationships.
• If you use substances to sleep, calm yourself, or get through the day.
• If you experience irritability, anxiety, insomnia, or other symptoms when you stop using the substance.
• If you have experienced relapses after periods of abstinence.

How can I help you?

I carry out a comprehensive psychiatric assessment of your pattern of substance use, its consequences, and any emotional or psychiatric factors that may be related. I also assess your motivation for change, previous treatments, and any potential risks associated with reducing or stopping the substance.

The approach may include psychotherapeutic intervention, medication, and coordination with other professionals or specialized services. The aim is to reduce risks, regain control, and support stable, lasting change.