NURIA

Mood swings and cocaine

"I am 37 years old and I have always been very intense, high-strung, a love you or hate you type. When I was a teenager I suffered from eating disorders, but now I try to eat well. I have gone to the psychologist and they say that I have a Personality Disorder... Now things are worse: I have had problems at work, I am using cocaine and my partner has given me an ultimatum. I'm very sad, if it weren’t for my son, I’d throw in the towel."

Nuria had a first visit with Albert and they decided to start individual psychotherapy.
After a few sessions, they considered that they had to intensify the treatment and began to attend a very discreet group led by Albert and Martí with people of her age with similar problems. She’s also had some sessions with Sara to improve her diet. One weekend in Sitges, she tried paddle surfing in a therapeutic environment with other friends from her group. Miquel visited her a couple of times, but they hardly used any drugs.

DAVID

Alcohol, cocaine, sex and work

"I am 43 years old and I have always done well: I have a good job, two children and a wonderful wife. And yet, today, I’m about to lose it all. I started having a drink after work, to relax. Then I started playing with cocaine: the first lines were just for the hell of it but it has already gotten out of hand, several nights I have not returned home.
My wife only knows about the women and says she can forgive me if I change. How can I tell her everything? How am I to climb out of this hole?"

David contacted PROP and had a first interview with Miquel. They decided on hospitalization to facilitate detoxification and to approach the habit situation with his wife. During the admission he met Albert, who later became his psychologist in both individual and group psychotherapy. Sport practice with an INEF trainer from the Sport2Live group was essential to keep his mind occupied and boost his self-esteem. Today David is climbing out of the hole and has regained control over his life.

ALFREDO

Aging, frustration and aggressiveness

"I'm 81 years old, and 6 years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I do not really understand what this means and it scares me more and more. To be able to move better, I take a medication, but I do not have more assistance than the visits 8 with my neurologist, a couple of times a year. I feel impotent and I end up being aggressive with my family, who are the ones who take care of me and support me. I’ve never been violent, but seeing myself disabled and depending on others fills me with rage. When I feel worse, I cannot get the idea of ​​suicide out of my head: I've already threatened my family with it several times. "

Accompanied by his daughter, Alfredo attended a first visit with Silvia: she made a neurological study and readjusted his treatment. Since part of Alfredo’s difficulties in his daily life had to do with anger and negative emotions, he had a second visit with Jorge, who confirmed evident depressive symptomatology, and prescribed an
antidepressant treatment in parallel to the treatment for Parkinson's. Martí conducts home visits, and they’re working out better ways to face his difficulties in his daily life activities. Both Alfredo and his family remark that his mood has improved, and that aggressiveness and threats of suicide have disappeared. Despite the difficulties, he’s accepting his limitations and he’s letting other people help him, as he says, "I’m not thinking about throwing in the towel anymore..."

ENCARNA

Depression and memory problems

"Since I retired I have had a very active life, but these last few months I’ve been feeling sad and lethargic. My family is trying to cheer me up, but I do not get out of bed until noon. I cry without reason, and I spend my days doing nothing: I don’t seem able to focus on anything nor to amuse myself. I feel useless, and I think I'm losing my memory: I forget conversations, messages, names ... I am very much afraid of dementia, as was the case with my mother."

Encarna attended a first visit accompanied by her husband. Jorge gave her an antidepressant medication, and recommended a neuropsychological study to evaluate memory problems. Carlos Jacas diagnosed a mild cognitive impairment and recommended participating in a cognitive training group . The medication is beginning to show positive effects: Encarna is feeling more cheerful and has managed to resume her activities. Although she is still worried about her memory problems, she is starting to regain her self-confidence.