What Are Your Symptoms?

You might agree with several of the comments below, or see yourself as experiencing a few of them.  This may or may not indicate that you have depression or anxiety or another mental health concern. However, most people tend to overlook or minimize the stress in their lives until it piles up and creates an interference. Sometimes the interference will occur within your important relationships, or perhaps you are experiencing perplexing physical symptoms.  Many people talk about feeling irritable or tired all the time. Take these signs seriously; your body and mind are trying to tell you something. Talking about these concerns might give you relief.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

  • Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability or quick to anger
  • Muscle tension or unexplainable pain
  • Heart palpitations and shortness of breath, sometimes w/accompanying fear of having a heart attack
  • Problems with concentration (without a definitive diagnosis of ADD)
  • Easily distracted or startled
  • Sleep disturbance: trouble falling or staying asleep
  • General sense of persistent frustration about
  • Sudden need to leave a place or situation

Panic Attacks

How do I know if this is a panic attack?

  • Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating and trembling develop abruptly and peak within a few minutes
  • Accompanied by fear of losing control or going crazy or fear of dying
  • May have nausea or abdominal pain
  • Fear about being in places or situations from which escape would be difficult (or embarrassing) can trigger panic.

Panic attacks can prompt people to go to the emergency room because they don’t understand what is happening and fear the worse.  We will work to understand what triggers your panic attacks.

Common Symptoms of Depression

  • Persistent sad, anxious or empty feelings
  • Intense pessimism or feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
  • Irritability and restlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
  • Fatigue and decreased energy
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Overeating or loss of appetite
  • Persistent aches or pains; digestive problems that aren’t treatable
  • Thoughts of suicide; suicide attempts

Life Transitions — Why can’t I deal with this situation?

Some common life changes:

  •  Divorce
  • Loss of a loved one
  • Change in family
  • Illness
  • Job change

There has been a change in your life and you’re struggling to move forward, but why?  Whether it is a divorce, a loss of a loved one, a change in your family, an illness or any other major life change, I will assess its impact and help you make a smooth transition to a place that feels better.

Sexual Difficulties

Many couples go through hot and cold periods but, still, you may wonder if what you are experiencing is “normal.â€Â  In a sensitive but straight-forward manner I work with individuals and couples to help them find ways of connecting that feel right.  We address all aspects of the couple relationship:  communication, stress, medical issues, your past relationships, and underlying feelings, all of which can have an impact on your sex life.

If you are not in a relationship but are concerned or unsettled about any sexual issues I can help you explore your concerns and understand your own sexual response pattern.

Parent-Teen Conflict

  •  Abrupt decline in your child’s academic or social functioning
  • Moodiness or emotional volatility that lasts for more than 2 weeks
  • Evidence of substance use or other illegal activity
  • A dramatic change in the family relationship
  • Parent conflict or divorce that has an impact on family functioning

How is Your Sleep?

  • Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Not feeling rested upon awakening
  • Frequent use of drugs that tamper with energy levels such as stimulants or sedatives.
  • Your sleep cycle is out of sync with your life
  • Do you tend to fall asleep while watching TV or reading?
  • Do you use caffeine to get through the day?

How is Your Self Care?

  • Regularly put others’ needs first
  • Feeling a pervasive sense of not having enough time
  • Underlying feelings of resentment
  • Irritability
  • Overeating or eating poorly
  • Wish to escape

Physical Symptoms and Your Mental Health

Sometimes physical symptoms signal an underlying problem with chronic depression or anxieties. Mental health can affect your physical health. Many people talk first to their doctor when they have physical symptoms and they never get to the root of the problem. Chronic pain, digestive problems, obesity, chronic fatigue, compromised immune functioning and many other ailments can result from, or be exacerbated by, underlying psychological distress. Yes, your physical problems are real, but they may arise in the context of unresolved psychological problems. I will be happy to answer your questions about your symptoms.

Feel free to contact me with any questions:  703.349.1161 or [email protected]