Dr. Cristina Ruiz Coloma
Psychologist Specialist in Clinical Psychology
Areas of intervention
Anxiety
Although uncomfortable, anxiety is a normal and healthy adaptive response that arises when the alarm system is activated (the brain associated with fear or alarm situations). In fact, we are all equipped with this essential self-protection mechanism, but sometimes the system becomes hypersensitive or hyperreactive to certain stimuli or particular situations. This happens when we experience anxiety in a non-adaptive way (i.e., when there is no real danger requiring immediate protection of ourselves), thus becoming counterproductive for ourselves.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common problems that people suffer in nowadays society. It is estimated that about half of all men and three quarters of all women have had an episode of depression sometime during their life. Many people do not ask for or receive the assistance that could ease the discomfort. Part of the problem is that often people do not know what kind of help is available and how they can benefit from it.
Panic
Anyone who is caught in a situation that threatens his/her life is likely to experience a panic reaction. Symptoms of panic consist of a shallow and rapid breathing (hyperventilation), increased heart rate (tachycardia or palpitations) and intense anxiety. This occurs when the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is activated and the body is flooded with adrenaline.
Health Anxiety
Taking care of our bodies and experiencing reasonable concerns about health, are appropriate behaviours since they are already being used to prevent different illnesses. What happens is that when there is an exorbitant concern about an illness or if actually suffering it, it does not justify such a concern, we are then talking about health anxiety (formerly known as hypochondria). The symptoms are expressed in small physical sensations, often vague and imprecise but the concern itself generates a lot of anxiety as these sensations tend to be interpreted as symptoms of a serious illness.
Fòbia social
Social phobia is a persistent and intense fear to act in a humiliating or embarrassing way in the presence of others, to the extent of interfering in both their personal and professional life. People with this disorder think that people judge them negatively. This fear may also reflect the feeling of being inferior, different or unacceptable, and this is usually accompanied by thoughts like “if people knew how I really am, they would reject me.”
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
El trastorn obsessiu compulsiu (TOC) es refereix a la combinació d’ obsessions (idees, pensaments, imatges o impulsos absurds i molestos que es presenten involuntàriament) juntament amb emocions desagradables com la por o la culpa que porten a la persona a realitzar compulsions per intentar alleugerir la preocupació i disminuir el nivell d’ansietat provocat per l’obsessió. The compulsions, also called rituals, are normally repetitive actions, but sometimes they are thinking patterns to which they resort to getting rid of the disturbing obsessions.
Chronic pain and fatigue
Chronic pain is a long-lasting pain that has not been resolved either by treating the cause (if known) or by trying to reduce the pain itself. For this reason, when we talk about chronic pain, we are usually talking about non-malignant pain, such as, for example, bone pain, rheumatoid arthritis or headaches.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterised by persistent or recurrent fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, sleep disorders and subjective cognitive impairment. Symptoms are not caused by constant exertion and do not improve with rest, and result in a substantial decrease in activity levels. There is considerable overlap between this syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Psychology applied to everyday life
My aim, within a professional therapeutic framework and based on scientific evidence, is to create a safe and supportive space where problems, goals and aspirations, thoughts, feelings and behaviours can be openly discussed and considered. We are always looking to learn new skills in order to develop a more useful and healthy attitude towards life’s difficulties.
Psychological interventions in Catalan, English and Spanish
Psychological assessment and intervention in adults using cognitive-behavioural treatment.
Get in touch
Phone:
(+34) 93 393 31 54
cristinaruizcoloma@gmail.com
Address:
CENTRE MÈDIC TEKNON
Consultorios Vilana – Desp 154
C/ Vilana s/n
08017 Barcelona