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Entrevista - Isabel Garcia
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Entrevista - Isabel Garcia

Interview on Anxiety and Stress in Peru

Introduction to the Interview

  • The interviewer introduces themselves as part of a research group focused on addressing rising anxiety and stress levels in the Peruvian population. They express gratitude for the participant's time.
  • The aim is to discuss personal experiences related to anxiety and stress, emphasizing that all feedback, whether positive or negative, is valuable. Honesty is encouraged during the conversation.

Confidentiality Assurance

  • The interviewer assures that the conversation will remain confidential and anonymous, with information shared only within their internal team. This builds trust with the participant.
  • They clarify that the survey targets both diagnosed patients and those who may not have been formally diagnosed but experience symptoms like insomnia or excessive thoughts.

Participant Background Information

  • The participant introduces herself as Isabel Cielo García Guapaya, 22 years old, residing in Surco, Lima. She shares her current occupation as an analyst and her educational background regarding her degree completion process.
  • Isabel mentions she engages in exercise as a coping mechanism for stress from work tasks or personal issues, highlighting the importance of self-care routines amidst daily pressures.

Daily Routine Insights

  • Isabel describes her typical day starting at 8:30 AM with work beginning at 9 AM; she balances remote work with family interactions during lunch breaks around 1 PM. Her routine includes tidying up before starting work to create a conducive environment.
  • She notes working until approximately 6:30 PM but sometimes extends her hours based on workload demands, indicating how remote work can blur boundaries between personal time and professional responsibilities.

Experiences of Stress and Anxiety

  • Isabel reflects on feeling stress since starting university and entering the workforce; she acknowledges that many people experience similar feelings during transitional life phases such as education or career beginnings.
  • She emphasizes maintaining a balance by engaging in physical activities outside of work hours to mitigate feelings of overwhelm caused by prolonged screen time or intense workloads while working remotely.

Conclusion of Daily Life Description

  • In concluding her description of daily life, Isabel mentions going to bed around midnight or 1 AM after winding down from daily activities; this highlights potential areas for improvement regarding sleep hygiene amidst busy schedules.

Daily Routine and Stress Management

Sleep Patterns and Morning Routines

  • The speaker discusses their sleep habits, noting that sleeping late often leads to waking up late, but they can sometimes wake up early despite this.
  • They mention that drinking coffee in the morning may not always be effective when waking up late; instead, cold water helps them feel more awake.

Sources of Stress and Anxiety

  • The speaker identifies work-related stress as a significant factor, particularly when tasks are assigned by their boss without clear guidance.
  • They express anxiety about not being able to solve problems quickly or effectively, especially when under pressure from their supervisor's inquiries.

Future Concerns and Academic Pressure

  • The speaker feels anxious about completing their degree on time, indicating a self-imposed pressure to graduate within the year.
  • They reflect on how overthinking about future responsibilities contributes significantly to their anxiety levels.

Family Dynamics and Additional Stressors

  • Family issues also contribute to stress; disagreements with family members create additional emotional strain alongside academic pressures.
  • The speaker notes that discussions with family can lead to misunderstandings, further complicating decision-making processes.

Describing Daily Stress and Anxiety Experiences

  • The speaker describes daily anxiety as a constant worry about completing tasks quickly and efficiently while feeling rushed for future achievements.
  • They characterize stress as stemming from fear of making mistakes at work or needing assistance frequently, which creates feelings of inadequacy.

How to Manage Stress and Anxiety?

Techniques for Reducing Stress

  • The speaker discusses various methods they use to manage stress and anxiety, including engaging in sports and physical activities to distract themselves.
  • They emphasize the importance of exercise and walking for both mental health and physical well-being, often listening to music during these activities for relaxation.
  • Sleep is highlighted as a crucial technique; the speaker uses it as a way to cope with anxiety by avoiding overthinking.
  • Other techniques include washing their face, taking herbal tea (abuelada), and playing games as distractions when feeling anxious or stressed.
  • The speaker notes that addressing problems directly is essential for achieving calmness; they differentiate between techniques used for stress versus anxiety.

Effectiveness of Techniques

  • A follow-up question explores which techniques have been effective or ineffective in managing stress and anxiety.
  • Playing games is mentioned as an effective distraction method when feeling overwhelmed by problems, helping the speaker feel more at ease.
  • Exercise is reiterated as beneficial not only for calming effects but also for alleviating physical discomfort caused by prolonged sitting.
  • Stretching before running has helped improve back pain, indicating a positive correlation between physical activity and reduced stress levels.
  • The speaker reflects on ineffective strategies such as studying while anxious, which tends to exacerbate their worries rather than alleviate them.

Challenges Faced

  • Social interactions with family do not always help reduce anxiety; returning home often leads back to overthinking issues.
  • Sleeping does not provide lasting relief from anxiety since thoughts about problems persist upon waking up.
  • The mind can play tricks by recalling unwanted memories or concerns, making it difficult to find peace even after attempting various coping strategies.

Impact of Stress on Work and Studies

  • The discussion shifts towards how stress affects work performance; physical symptoms like back pain hinder focus on tasks.
  • Rushing through tasks due to stress results in poor quality work, leading to mistakes that require redoing assignments.
  • In academic settings, the pressure of wanting to succeed creates additional anxiety that can delay progress on studies.
  • This desire for perfectionism contributes significantly to feelings of inadequacy when things do not go according to plan.

Understanding Stress and Anxiety in Personal Relationships

Impact of Stress on Work and Relationships

  • The speaker discusses how stress affects their studies and work, leading to a tendency to rush tasks without asking questions, which can result in mistakes.
  • They express that stress negatively impacts personal relationships, particularly with partners, causing them to behave poorly towards loved ones.
  • The speaker acknowledges that they have worked on managing their stress better to avoid affecting others negatively, recognizing that no one else is responsible for their stress.

Experiences of Overwhelming Stress

  • The interviewer prompts the speaker to share a recent experience where stress or anxiety overwhelmed them.
  • The speaker recounts an incident involving a failed bet in a game that triggered significant stress and led to negative interactions with their partner.
  • They note that when stressed, they tend to raise their voice or treat others poorly, which strains relationships further.

Coping Mechanisms and Communication

  • After the stressful incident, the speaker had a conversation with their partner to apologize and clarify feelings, emphasizing the importance of communication in resolving conflicts.
  • They reflect on past experiences where they learned from mistakes and strive not to repeat them while acknowledging occasional lapses.

Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety

  • When asked about what they feel is lacking for improving stress management, the speaker mentions time as a crucial factor.
  • They suggest organizing time better could help reduce anxiety by ensuring planned tasks are completed efficiently.

Seeking Professional Help

  • The speaker shares that they sought professional help three or four years ago for managing stress and impulsivity issues.
  • This experience was beneficial as it provided therapeutic strategies for coping with anxiety effectively.

Understanding Personal Responsibility in Therapy

The Role of Personal Accountability

  • The speaker emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their actions, suggesting a need for personal accountability in therapy.
  • They express a positive experience with a psychologist who fostered trust, allowing them to share personal issues more openly than before.

Experiences with Therapy Sessions

  • The speaker notes dissatisfaction with the frequency of therapy sessions, feeling that two sessions per week were insufficient to manage stress and anxiety effectively.
  • They mention the cost of therapy as a concern, indicating that some psychologists can be expensive, which affects accessibility.

Digital Tools for Emotional Well-being

Utilization of Apps and Online Resources

  • The speaker has used an app for meditation exercises that provided reminders to practice regularly, highlighting its structured approach.
  • They also utilize Spotify for relaxation music while exercising, noting its effectiveness in enhancing their mood during physical activity.

Impact of Digital Solutions

  • While they stopped using the meditation app due to running habits, they still find value in it for stretching and pre-exercise routines.
  • The speaker appreciates how meditation exercises helped them significantly reduce stress levels and improve relaxation.

Frustrations with Current Stress Management Solutions

Limitations of Available Techniques

  • The speaker expresses limited familiarity with modern solutions but acknowledges popular methods like Pilates and running as effective stress relievers.
  • They enjoy running not only as exercise but also as a social activity that helps alleviate anxiety through conversation.

Value of Professional Guidance

  • Speaking with psychologists is viewed positively; the speaker believes professional advice can help manage anxiety better than self-help methods alone.
  • They emphasize the importance of discussing feelings with trained professionals who provide constructive feedback and support.

The Concept of an Emotional Support App

Potential Benefits of Continuous Support

  • The idea of an app providing constant emotional support is seen as beneficial by the speaker, reflecting on how such tools could enhance mental health management.

Emotional Support App Insights

User Needs and Expectations for an Emotional Support App

  • Users express a desire for personalized advice during moments of anxiety, indicating that they would appreciate an app functioning like a personal psychologist.
  • The inclusion of relaxation techniques, meditation exercises, and stretching routines is seen as beneficial for managing stress. Users want practical tools to help alleviate emotional distress.
  • Many users feel overwhelmed by work pressures and personal issues, suggesting that they would frequently rely on the app for support akin to having a trusted confidant available at all times.

Trust and Comfort in Digital Interactions

  • There is a strong preference for communicating with an app rather than face-to-face interactions, as users believe it fosters greater comfort and openness when discussing sensitive topics.
  • Users highlight the importance of receiving immediate responses from the app, especially during urgent moments of anxiety or frustration; this immediacy is crucial for effective support.

Features Desired in an Emotional Support App

  • Key features include reminders for relaxation exercises and motivational messages to boost self-esteem; these elements are essential for maintaining user engagement and providing ongoing support.
  • Users suggest that timely notifications about stretching or breathing exercises could significantly enhance their experience with the app, making it more interactive and helpful.

Frequency of Use and Accessibility

  • The potential frequency of use is high; users indicate they would utilize the app multiple times throughout their day due to remote work conditions, emphasizing its role in daily mental health management.
  • A feature allowing spontaneous encouragement through pop-up messages is proposed as a unique selling point that could differentiate this app from existing options on the market.

Pricing Perception

  • Users generally find a monthly fee of 990 acceptable compared to traditional therapy costs, viewing it as a cost-effective alternative while still offering valuable emotional support benefits.

App Features and User Support

Monthly Subscription Value

  • The speaker expresses support for a monthly subscription model, believing it to be a fair price for an app that provides significant assistance.
  • Emphasizes the importance of having an application that not only aids users but also offers encouragement and advice, particularly for those struggling with their issues.

User Needs and App Suggestions

  • The speaker notes that many individuals may become too focused on their problems, losing perspective on how to address them effectively.
  • While specific ideas for app features are not currently available, the speaker highlights the need for stretching exercises and reminders as essential components.
  • Suggestion includes incorporating motivational messages at various times to help users stay encouraged throughout their journey.