Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from an interview with Dr. Keisha Downey posted in the "Spotlight on Women's Health" blog of the Office of Women's Health.
Dr. Downey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Psychotherapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Community Service, a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. As a therapist, she has helped her clients properly cope with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, substance abuse, parent-child relationships, and crisis intervention. Dr. Downey’s clients come from diverse cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, lifestyles, and ethnicities.
How does a woman’s mental health impact her overall health?
If a woman does not take care of her mental health, her physical health can be at risk. For example, if a woman is experiencing depressive symptoms she may experience sleep problems, an increase or decrease in appetite, loss of pleasurable activities (exercise), all of which can lead to issues with her overall health.
What are your general tips for staying mentally healthy?
A few general tips for staying mentally healthy include getting adequate rest, eating healthy, implementing a daily or weekly exercise regimen, participating in pleasurable activities as often as possible, and obtaining emotional support from family and friends.
What are some healthy ways to manage stress?
Managing stress can depend on the individual person. However, a few common practices include meditation, exercise, positive self-talk, relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness.
What would you say to women who feel that their anxiety or depression interferes with their daily life?
If a woman is experiencing anxiety and depression that is interfering with her daily life, it’s important for her to seek therapy or mental health services immediately. Therapy can help a person express their thoughts and feelings and obtain the appropriate coping tools to ease depression and anxiety symptoms. Many times, women who suffer from depression feel unloved, unworthy, and isolated. Therapy can help these women identify their strengths and help uplift their spirits when they feel down or depressed. It can help give them a stronger sense of self, gain a better perspective on life, and function healthier in their daily routines.
Read more on the Spotlight on Women's Health blog.
Dr. Downey is a Licensed Marriage and Family Psychotherapist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis in Community Service, a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology. As a therapist, she has helped her clients properly cope with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, substance abuse, parent-child relationships, and crisis intervention. Dr. Downey’s clients come from diverse cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, lifestyles, and ethnicities.
How does a woman’s mental health impact her overall health?
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| Dr. Keisha Downey |
What are your general tips for staying mentally healthy?
A few general tips for staying mentally healthy include getting adequate rest, eating healthy, implementing a daily or weekly exercise regimen, participating in pleasurable activities as often as possible, and obtaining emotional support from family and friends.
What are some healthy ways to manage stress?
Managing stress can depend on the individual person. However, a few common practices include meditation, exercise, positive self-talk, relaxation, guided imagery, and mindfulness.
What would you say to women who feel that their anxiety or depression interferes with their daily life?
If a woman is experiencing anxiety and depression that is interfering with her daily life, it’s important for her to seek therapy or mental health services immediately. Therapy can help a person express their thoughts and feelings and obtain the appropriate coping tools to ease depression and anxiety symptoms. Many times, women who suffer from depression feel unloved, unworthy, and isolated. Therapy can help these women identify their strengths and help uplift their spirits when they feel down or depressed. It can help give them a stronger sense of self, gain a better perspective on life, and function healthier in their daily routines.
Read more on the Spotlight on Women's Health blog.