Alina Popovich: "Treating people is not just a job; it is a way of life."

      Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, a doctor at the P.P. Kashchenko Hospital and the author of the popular blog “Psychiatrist from Kashchenko,” Alina Popovich spoke about how to maintain mental health in the era of social media, how to distinguish fatigue from burnout, and why self-care is not a luxury but a necessity.

      Alina, tell us what influenced your choice of profession?

      I grew up in a medical family. My first inspiration was my grandmother, a feldsher who took me on calls. At 17 I began studying at the Saint Petersburg Pediatric Medical University, then specialized in psychiatry and completed additional training in psychotherapy. I am constantly learning — this is a profession that requires endless development. For me, treating people is a way of life.

      What do people most often come to you for?

      First and foremost — anxiety disorders, depression, and crisis states. People are becoming less afraid to seek help, but the level of emotional tension in society remains high. My practice is based on a cognitive-behavioral approach — it is the “gold standard” of psychotherapy. We work with deep-seated beliefs and change habitual behavior patterns that interfere with living.

      How can you protect yourself and your family from the negative influence of social media?

      The main advice is to dose it. We often underestimate how much the information flow affects the psyche. Limiting screen time, a “digital detox,” and the ability to check information sources help preserve emotional balance. For children it is especially important that parents set an example: if an adult is constantly glued to their phone, the child will copy that behavior.

      How do you recover emotionally?

      Balance is important to me. Walks, exercise, reading fiction, traveling. Sometimes I simply allow myself to do nothing — and that too is a form of recovery.

      How do you distinguish fatigue from burnout?

      Fatigue passes after rest; burnout does not. If a person, even after a vacation, still doesn’t feel any energy, loses interest in usual activities and people, that’s a signal: it’s worth seeking help.

      How does the race for success and eternal youth affect a modern person?

      Very strongly. Social media broadcast an image of the “perfect life,” and many begin to feel they don’t measure up to that image. From this come anxiety, a sense of unfulfillment, and depression. It’s important to remember: someone else’s success is not your benchmark. Everyone has their own path.

      What should you pay attention to when choosing a specialist?

      Education, experience, and whether they have personal therapy and supervision. It’s important that the clinician works on their own condition; otherwise there is a high risk they will treat their own issues at the client’s expense. Today social media can help you understand a specialist’s values and approach — that’s also a useful guide.

      There’s a lot of talk today about “psychologists on Instagram.” What do you think of this trend?

      On the one hand, it’s great — psychotherapy is becoming more accessible. On the other hand, there’s a risk of ending up with someone without a medical education. My advice is: check diplomas, specialization, and reviews.

      Have you seen many cases related to the crises of recent years — the pandemic, world events, economic instability?

      Yes, the number has increased. Most often these are anxiety disorders and a feeling of uncertainty. People come asking, “What will happen next?” And here it’s important to work not only on symptoms but also on adaptability and the ability to withstand stress.

      What would you advise those who are afraid to see a psychiatrist because of stigma?

      Don’t be afraid. Psychiatry has long since moved beyond scary stereotypes. It is medicine like any other. Illness doesn’t make you “crazy”; it simply indicates that the psyche needs support.

      Your wishes and recommendations for our readers.

      Take care of yourselves. Listen to your body, don’t ignore signs of fatigue. Remember: caring for your mental health is not weakness but maturity. Learn to rest, limit informational noise, connect with loved ones, and look for joy in simple things. And most importantly — don’t be embarrassed to seek help.