There is no shame in seeking professional help to treat stress, according to Dr. Jacob Samander, a board-certified psychiatrist with Open Door Family Medical Center.
“You need to treat stress like you treat diabetes,” he said. “As with diabetes, treatment begins with seeing an expert and making lifestyle changes ”“ eating healthier, learning to sleep better, exercising more ”“ and if the diabetes doesn”™t get any better, then medication. Acknowledging you have a problem and seeking help is a critical first step.”
Studies show that stress-related illnesses have increased since the pandemic, creating a “new normal.” Raising awareness of the negative impact of stress is particularly important during April, which is National Stress Awareness Month.
Studies have long shown that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, along with sleeping better, exercising more, increasing social or down time and incorporating meditation or other relaxation techniques into their lives can help people cope better with stress.
Open Door Family Medical Center provides health care and wellness programs to individuals and families in need throughout Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam and Ulster counties. A pioneer Federally Qualified Health Center, the Open Door provides more than 300,000 patient visits annually and serves over 60,000 individual patients, who might not otherwise have access to care.
