Alejandro Sanz makes his psychological state visible: what is secondary depression due to stress?

“I’m not well. I don’t know if this is of any use, but I want to say it (…)» This is how the tweet that Alejandro Sanz published on May 27 began, in which he reveals his psychological state associated with depression due to stress. As happens when a celebrity reveals their mental health problems, the reactions quickly went viral. Our sensitivity to these issues, fortunately, improves.

The Spanish singer, 54 years old and winner of several Grammys, appreciates the impact and the constant displays of support. However, as we well know, the fight against psychological disorders is very personal, intimate and also delicate. Despite this, the singer decided not to cancel his tours and continue with psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment.

We explain below what the problem is and how our society processes these types of complex realities that the most well-known figures send to us.

Alejandro Sanz and secondary depression due to stress

It is not the first time that Alejandro Sanz deals with a depressive disorder. He already did it in 2007 and was forced to suspend his concerts. Now, the shadow of the illness returned and he did so, in his own words, through a “secondary stress depression.” The term worried many, especially because in one of his tweets he explains that during a weekend he faced “a strong outbreak.”

So, what happens to the well-known artist? Well, the first thing we must say is that Diagnoses are only the responsibility of those affected themselves. In psychology we have an ethical principle regulated by the Goldwater rule that reminds us that it is not permissible to speculate about the mental health of others, without personally evaluating the patient.

However, we can delve deeper into the information that Alejandro Sanz himself has revealed to the media. Let’s learn what secondary depression due to stress consists of.

Depression and comorbidities

Secondary depression is that condition that appears as a consequence of some pre-existing illness or psychological disorder. Something we must understand about depressive disorders is that comorbidities are a common occurrence. This clinical reality usually develops as a result of anxiety and chronic stress, any illness, addictions, etc.

An example: a study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry tells us how people who deal with chronic pain have a higher risk of suffering from depression. Something similar happens among those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, fibromyalgia, lupus, etc. Every medical condition makes us more vulnerable.

In addition, Having a life mediated by a high level of stress is also a comorbidity for depression. The same thing happens in patients who have a greater tendency to suffer from anxiety disorders. The University of Texas highlights how in primary care it is common to receive people who deal with both anxious and depressive processes. They are very hard experiences.

The “outbreak” that Alejandro Sanz speaks of

Typically, “breaks” in psychology refer to psychotic breaks. However, in the case of Alejandro Sanz, not having information makes conclusions impossible. It is likely that the reference to outbreaks has to do with a high episode of anxiety. These are moments of great emotional and physiological burden in which the person feels completely overwhelmed.

When celebrities make their mental health problems visible: is it useful?

Is Alejandro Sanz’s sincerity about his current difficult situation with stress depression of any use? Does it help that the best-known figures in the world of culture, entertainment or sports talk to us about mental health? The resounding answer is yes.

In the past, psychological problems came to the media when celebrities died. Let’s remember the end of Ernest Hemingway, Kurt Cobain or Robin Williams. None of these figures spoke to us before about their addictions, depressions or sufferings.

Currently, the celebrities Making your battles in the field of mental health visible on a daily basis is progress; something as necessary as it is valuable.

They in turn act as social modeling: “If they take the step, I can do it too.”They normalize the need to ask for help, when we suffer in silence from problems that surpass us.The fact that celebrities share their psychological disorders helps break the stigma.They enhance awareness and empathy for those who suffer and they go through very dark moments.Thanks to celebrities, the media increasingly normalizes talking about these matters. Little by little, the problem of mental health now affects many areas of our society.They facilitate psychoeducation in mental health matters. Thanks to his testimonies, we learn what anxiety, depression, eating disorders (ED), addictions, etc. are.

What is the negative aspect of artists like Alejandro Sanz talking about mental health?

Some may be surprised by the fact that we refer to that not so luminous part of this phenomenon. But it is necessary to make a reality visible. Not everyone who suffers from a mental health problem has access to psychological assistance. There is a lack of means, resources and specialized professionals in all primary care centers.

It is commendable and very enriching that the celebrities Make public your struggles in this matter and tell us about the need to go to therapy. However, clear inequalities persist in society and, also, a lack of social and political responsibility. An advanced world is one that offers means to alleviate the physical and mental discomfort of all its citizens.

We need everyone to have the same ease of access to psychologists and psychiatrists as celebrities themselves.

What disadvantages can Alejandro Sanz suffer from speaking publicly about his depression?

Any public person who exposes themselves in the media and talks about their problems runs a risk. The fact that Alejandro Sanz and many other figures comment on depression and stress, as well as other psychological conditions, is an act of courage. Fame often entails being the subject of criticism and not all the messages they receive are kind and bring with them the encouragement of affection and empathy.

Celebrities must always preserve some aspects of their intimate sphere and thus avoid the dangers of overexposure. Sometimes a bad comment, a pernicious mockery, or a Tweet malicious people break up when they feel most vulnerable. It is important to remember that, before being famous, they are people with needs to be met.

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