Welcome to Spill Your Feels – a special weekly column on MedBound Times where readers can send in their queries on mental health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, marriage, and sex. Each week, Dr. Prerna Kohli shares her insights and practical advice to help you navigate challenges and live a healthier life. From stress and parenting to work-life balance and relationships, this column sheds light on the everyday pressures of life with compassion and expertise.
Dr. Prerna Kohli is an eminent clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Aligarh Muslim University, UP, India. Awarded among the 100 Women Achievers of India by the President of India, she is a public speaker, researcher, and social worker. With decades of experience, Dr. Kohli specializes in issues such as substance abuse, parental and marital counselling, relationship challenges, eating disorders, depression, and more.
Tatya asks:
Lately, I’ve been experiencing intense emotional reactions. I was not a crybaby before, but now I find myself getting tearful very quickly when I’m angry or stressed. I want to learn how to control my anger and stay calm in different situations, and I’d like to avoid crying in front of others. Should I consider counseling, or are there other strategies I can try?
Dr. Prerna Kohli: You’re not turning soft; you’re just hitting emotional overload. Tears are your body’s safety valve — they show up when words don’t. The more you fight them, the louder they get. Try stepping back when you feel that surge. Take ten slow breaths, or excuse yourself for a few minutes. Later, write down what exactly tipped you off. Patterns make anger easier to manage. But if crying feels out of control or constant, don’t white-knuckle through it. Counseling doesn’t mean you’ve lost grip; it means you’re learning a better one. It’s strength in disguise, not weakness on display.
XYZ asks:
How should I handle a senior colleague at work who is inconsistent and irresponsible? He often says one thing but does another, wasting time, resources, and money. I’m concerned about whether we can trust him with my new project.
Dr. Prerna Kohli: Ah, the classic “experienced but unreliable” colleague. Every office has one. You can’t fix him, but you can protect your work. Put everything in writing — every promise, every deadline. Copy others when needed. That’s not petty; it’s professional insurance. Keep conversations short and factual. Don’t waste energy fuming about fairness; focus on outcomes. If his behavior threatens your project, raise it early with your supervisor — not as gossip, but as a risk. People like him thrive in fog. Your job is to turn on the lights.
Not a Foodie asks:
I always feel hungry when I am sad. I literally eat my feelings, and I am not even a foodie. Sometimes I don't even enjoy eating. It has been a coping mechanism for so long that I no longer know what to do. Why does this happen? What should I do the next time I feel low?
Dr. Prerna Kohli: You’re not hungry for food; you’re hungry for comfort. Food just happens to be the fastest stand-in for peace. The first few bites calm your nerves, and then guilt joins the table. Next time sadness hits, pause before opening the fridge. Ask yourself, “What am I actually craving?” It might be rest, kindness, or just a good cry. Try something that soothes without stuffing — music, a short walk, even calling a friend. Emotional eating isn’t a crime, but it’s not a cure either. Feed the feeling, not the fridge.
This is your space to ask, share, and reflect. Write to Spill Your Feels with your queries on relationships, mental health, marriage, or personal struggles. Selected questions will be answered in upcoming editions of this column on MedBound Times.
Submit your question here!
MSM
