Psychiatrist's advice for Valentine's: Don't love too much; cry out your pain

MANILA, Philippines - On the day of hearts, a ranking officer of the Philippine Psychiatric Association had unsolicited advice for all lovers: “too much love can kill you”.

Dr. Bernadette Arcena explained she simply meant too much love can “kill” one who plunges into depression, low self-esteem or even temporary insanity.

“Wag masyado magmahal … masama. Yung tama lang. Magkakasakit ka. Parang sakit din yan, kapag kumain ng too much sugar, magkakasakit ka [Don’t love excessively, or you could get sick. That’s like a disease. If you eat too much sugar, you’ll get sick],” she said.

A state of depression among individuals may lead to low self-esteem, insecurity, paranoia or even obsession, Arcena said, citing recent examples. Late last year, a 13-year-old boy shot his alleged 16-year-old male lover before shooting himself inside a shopping mall in Pampanga.

Soon after, a woman shot dead her husband and tried to shoot herself in a shopping mall in Quezon City. A young security guard at the mall who tried to stop her from shooting herself was himself killed.

Gripped by extreme jealousy, a confessed gay man tried to leap from the window of the 16th floor of a building in Quezon City, admitting that he was “mentally stressed” because he was jealous of his partner. He also tried to slit his wrist and called on “men who have gay lovers to stay faithful.”

“The problem there is your insecurity, [because] you are not in your proper mind,” Arcena said. Still, she advised the lovesick not to despair. “There is another chance for you to love again. If you have been with a bad person, maybe there is someone better [who is] meant for you.”

She also advised those who are heartbroken to cry it all out, to release the pain and anger that lie within.

source: interaksyon.com