Entrevista - Wilder Canales

Interview on Depression and Anxiety in Peru

Introduction to the Interview

• The interview aims to gather information about the common issues of depression and anxiety within the Peruvian population.

• The goal is to understand personal experiences related to these mental health challenges and explore potential solutions.

Confidentiality and Honesty

• The interviewer emphasizes that there are no right or wrong answers, encouraging honesty from the participant.

• All collected information will remain confidential, highlighting its importance for research purposes.

Participant Background

• The participant introduces themselves as a 28-year-old from Villa María, working in support roles for a travel agency.

• They describe their job responsibilities, which include configurations and support for both internal staff and external partners involved in flight events.

Experience with Stress and Anxiety

• The participant shares that stress or anxiety arises when things do not go as planned, particularly at work or regarding personal goals.

• They mention that this stress can stem from unmet expectations in their career or personal life, leading to feelings of frustration.

Physical Symptoms of Stress

• Physical manifestations of stress include dandruff and dry skin; however, they note that learning to manage stress helps alleviate these symptoms over time.

Daily Routine Insights

• A typical day involves waking up early (around 4:30 AM), going to the gym before work, and commuting via train while managing time effectively between activities.

• Their workday starts at 8:30 AM with lunch around 2 PM; they also engage in walking during breaks to relieve some stress.

Sources of Stress During the Day

• Current sources of significant stress include long wait times at train stations (up to an hour), which detracts from productive time elsewhere in their day-to-day life.

Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

Initial Experiences of Stress

• The speaker reflects on the stress experienced when balancing home responsibilities, work commitments, and time management. They mention that trying to review everything within a limited timeframe can be overwhelming.

Adaptation Over Time

• Initially, the speaker felt significant stress due to new experiences but adapted over time. They highlight that transportation issues, especially during hot summer months, contributed greatly to their anxiety.

Routine and Stress Factors

• As the speaker established a routine while studying, they found that most stress stemmed from daily commutes and traffic rather than academic pressures.

Describing Daily Stress

• The speaker describes daily stress as stemming from waiting in long lines or experiencing discomfort in crowded public transport. This accumulation of external factors contributes significantly to their overall anxiety.

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

• To manage stress, the speaker focuses on positive aspects such as seeking remote work opportunities and adjusting travel times to avoid peak hours. They also emphasize the importance of social interactions during commutes.

Managing Stress: What Works?

Effective Strategies

• The speaker finds success in leaving home earlier and exercising at the gym when it is less crowded. This helps reduce both heat exposure and anxiety levels before starting their day.

Challenges with Change

• Despite efforts to change jobs for better working conditions, the speaker has not yet succeeded in finding remote work options but remains hopeful about future possibilities.

Benefits of Walking

• Walking serves as an effective exercise for the speaker; they enjoy a peaceful environment during their commute which aids relaxation and mental clarity before work.

Impact of Stress on Work Performance

Productivity Concerns

• The speaker notes that external stressors can hinder productivity at work by causing distractions and preventing focus on tasks. They express concern about how this affects overall job performance.

Stress Management and Personal Insights

Impact of Work-Related Stress

• The duration to complete tasks can depend on the source of stress, whether from work or personal life. Support from colleagues can help mitigate delays.

Communication with Supervisors

• It's beneficial to discuss non-work-related stress with supervisors, especially if they are understanding. This can lead to adjustments in workload or deadlines.

Academic Stress Experience

• Past experiences with academic stress were manageable due to familiarity with deadlines and presentations. The speaker views academic challenges as solvable issues rather than overwhelming ones.

Understanding Learning Methods

• If a student struggles to understand material, it may indicate a need for different study methods rather than focusing solely on grades. Adapting learning strategies is crucial for comprehension.

Personal Relationships and Stress

• The speaker maintains clear communication in personal relationships, addressing issues directly without overcomplicating matters.

Coping Mechanisms for Overwhelming Stress

• When feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, it's important to recognize that change requires personal effort. Acknowledging this can empower individuals to take action.

Humor as a Coping Strategy

• Over time, the speaker has learned to view stressful situations humorously, which helps in managing stress levels and maintaining perspective on ongoing challenges.

Breaking Comfort Zones

• To effectively manage stress, one must be willing to step out of their comfort zone and explore new methods of coping that promote well-being and progress.

Daily Stress Management Techniques

• The speaker feels capable of managing daily stresses through distraction techniques while recognizing that problems will eventually resolve themselves.

Seeking Professional Help

• The speaker has utilized professional psychological support at work for guidance on managing various stresses beyond just transportation issues.

Meditation and Goal Setting

• Initially skeptical about meditation, the speaker found it beneficial after practice. They emphasize the importance of structured goal-setting techniques for achieving personal objectives effectively.

Exploring Music and Digital Tools for Emotional Well-Being

The Role of Music in Meditation

• Discusses the use of sensory music for meditation, emphasizing variety to avoid monotony. The speaker prefers different genres based on mood, such as cumbia while walking.

• Highlights that doing the same thing daily can be boring; varying activities contributes to relaxation.

Use of Digital Resources for Emotional Wellness

• Inquires about the use of apps or online resources for emotional well-being. The speaker acknowledges having tried some but did not engage consistently due to daily life distractions.

• Mentions a lack of compelling features in existing apps that would encourage regular use, despite recognizing their potential benefits.

• Suggests that sharing experiences through platforms like TikTok can provide valuable insights into others' lives and coping strategies.

Importance of Reading for Personal Development

• Talks about purchasing self-help books aimed at providing actionable advice tailored to individual contexts, which can aid personal development.

• Expresses appreciation for reading as a stress-relief tool, noting that many people overlook its benefits.

Frustrations with Current Stress Management Solutions

• Critiques the effectiveness of psychological solutions available today, stressing the importance of finding a competent psychologist who genuinely cares about patient outcomes.

• Points out frustrations regarding costs and variable quality in psychological services, highlighting concerns over time and financial investment without guaranteed results.

Perspectives on Psychological Campaigns

• Questions the effectiveness of state-sponsored psychological campaigns due to their broad approach and limited time per patient interaction.

• Emphasizes that while campaigns may offer general solutions, they often fail to address specific individual issues adequately.

Potential Benefits of an Emotional Support App

• Considers the idea of an app designed to provide constant emotional support during stressful times. It could help users feel heard and supported through empathetic interactions.

• Reflects on how such an app should balance between offering comforting words and challenging users when necessary to promote growth.

Emotional Support App Features and Pricing Discussion

Importance of User Interaction

• The speaker emphasizes the significance of helping individuals who want to excel, suggesting that personal assistance can be beneficial.

• The respondent expresses openness to receiving help, indicating a willingness to explore various solutions to achieve their goals.

Desired App Functions

• The respondent mentions the need for interactive features similar to Duolingo, which engages users in a friendly manner rather than a robotic one.

• Suggested functions include personalized notifications and modifications that feel conversational and trustworthy, enhancing user experience.

• Additional features proposed are stress management tools such as scheduling techniques and daily motivational phrases.

Enhancing Familiarity and Friendliness

• There is a call for basic functionalities that foster familiarity and friendliness within the app, promoting better user interaction.

Pricing Perspective

• The respondent shares their opinion on a monthly price of $9.90 for emotional support services, considering it reasonable if multiple useful functions are provided.

• They compare this cost favorably against traditional therapy sessions with psychologists, suggesting it could be more economical in the long run.