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“Today I want to share news that fills my heart with joy, my sister is making great progress in her fight against depression. Seeing their strength and determination has been a great inspiration to all of us. To all those people who are going through a similar time, I want to tell you that you are not alone.”
A few days ago the soccer player of the national team of Chile and Flamengo from Brazil surprised him Eric Pulgarwhen he expresses on your Instagram profile about the progress that Paola, one of her sisters, who is recovering from depression, shows.
Pulgar asked the leaders of Flamengo for special permission to travel to Chile and be with Paola, who is going through depression. However, due to the absence of the Copa América and his importance in the team, that request was not granted.
Far from standing with his arms crossed, the former Bologna footballer in Italy made a decision that did not surprise his closest friends: he took Paola and his whole family with him. The goal was for everyone to be together so that everyone was part of the process and she felt that I was not alone.
Not only did Pulgar tell her “you need to get treatment,” but he did everything to guarantee that his sister got that help; in this case, taking her with him to Rio de Janeiro.
“I think it’s a beautiful message. There are several barriers to a person needing help. As a society, we must be willing to fight against these obstacles. Pulgar was always clear that he was the priority presentation available and do all that is humanly possible for a person in need; From there his sister had to give it to her commitment to perform special treatment. Feeling listened and went with him increasing the chances that people in need will reach themthe treatments that work“, expresses to La Nación Demián Rodante, psychiatrist at the Hospital Braulio A. Moyano and Researcher at the Pharmacology Institute of the Faculty of Medicine of the UBA.
In an interview conducted on Chilevision three years ago with Erick’s father, Pablo Araya, he said that the soccer player is very close to all his family, especially his four brothers. In addition to Paola, there is Jane Paul, Cherry and Cristóbal. “The thing that motivates me the most is that he’s a really good brother. giving you standard of living according to what football allows. I’m not talking about great luxury, but it’s good for them and that’s important. I also like that he maintains his humility.”said his father.
This proves Erick’s unconditional love for his brothers, which is why he doesn’t have this big move with Paola, who seems to be the worst of the player football, distracting.
While he was living in Rio de Janeiro, the player posted pictures to his Instagram where Paola’s smile indicated how happy she was under the care and love of her brother. One of the images shows both of them smiling, while showing off mustaches that could be part of Rio’s carnival party favors.
The most amazing thing is that a video she filmed about the sunset on one of Rio’s beaches where no words are heard, but that image says it all. She seems calm, relaxed, with herself and, above all, enjoying the moment. Another photo shows them walking away from the center and sounds of Rio de Janeiro.
“Depression can make us feel lonely and hopeless, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Find support in loved ones, talk to a professional and remember that a process that takes time, but improvement is possible“, Pulgar wrote in that same post.
“This optimistic message on the networks teaches us that it is possible to improve, to be better. People have to keep trying and the best option is always to give an encouraging message that generates hope. And the most authentic way to do it is to share how other people have gotten better by asking for or receiving specific help,” said Rodante, who is also the Clinical Coordinator for Experience- Psychiatry and the FORO Foundation Research Area for Mental Health.
Paola Araya continues in Rio de Janeiro where, in addition to the unconditional love of her soccer player brother and the rest of the family, she receives psychological and psychiatric treatment that allows her to move forward.
“Every little step counts and every day is an opportunity to move forward. Stay strong and know that hope and recovery are within reach“Pulgar inspired his more than 1,500,000 followers on Instagram.
Rodante explains that the main symptoms of this disease are changes in the normal behavior of people, from obvious to verbal. “For example, that man become socially isolatedstop going to places you used to, you see it lost, spoken expressions pessimists or not suffer the sufferingswhich increases the consumption of some products. All this can be accompanied by sleep disturbances and/or appetite. In fact, a direct or indirect reference to it suicidal thoughts “They are an important indicator.”
What treatments are recommended for people with depression?
From evidence-based practices, the type of treatment should be cognitive-behavioral, especially behavioral interventions. Depending on the severity of the depression, psychopharmacological treatment could be with it.
What are the keys to overcoming depression?
Find a treatment that might work. Being willing to ask for or get help is key, because there are doubts that depression can be treated and that it is possible to stop being depressed.
How can the environment help?
Asking openly about feelings, such as sadness or guilt, or difficult times, listening with intention and being available, willing to help without judgement. Not only to give encouragement, but also the hope that with special help it will be possible to get out of the hell that the person is going through. And, finally, join that person to get that help.
