Robin S. Haight, PsyD Licensed Clinical Psychologist
8618 Westwood Center Dr., Suite 430 Vienna, VA 22182 703-349-1161 drhaight@email.com
703-349-1161 ~ 8618 Westwood Center Drive ~ Vienna, Virginia 22182 ~ drhaight@email.com
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.
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 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
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?
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
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.
