ADHD and Your Emotions: Why Rejection Hits You Harder
When you have ADHD, your emotions can get heightened. You can struggle with strong feelings of rejection, even if the dismissal of an idea you came up with is really mild.
Depression After a Major Life Change: When to Seek Psychiatric Care
A major life change can leave you feeling unlike yourself. Maybe you’re dealing with a divorce, grieving someone you love, adjusting to a move, starting a new job, or caring for an infant.
Feeling sad, stressed, or overwhelmed in these situations is normal, even if the change in your life was a happy or wanted one.
At Genesis Psychiatric Solutions, our board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Ifeanyi Olele, treats a range of mental health issues, including depression. If you’re having trouble coping, even with a support system in place, it’s time to seek help.
Common signs of budding depression
Grief and stress don’t follow a schedule. There isn’t a specific number of days after a divorce, loss, or other major event that marks a point when you’re supposed to feel better. But there are certain signs that you’re not handling things as well as you could for your own mental health.
Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone. If symptoms like these appear and continue for two weeks or longer, especially if they interfere with your daily life, an evaluation can help you figure out your next step:
- Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time
- Losing interest in activities you normally enjoy
- Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Feeling unusually tired or slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling guilty, worthless, or like you’re a burden
- Pulling away from people or responsibilities
You don’t have to wait until these symptoms become severe before asking for help.
Your pathway to feeling better
The first step is to seek out a psychiatrist whose methods and experience match what you need. Some people do better with in-office therapy sessions. Others do best with telepsychiatry via a mobile phone or computer screen from the comfort of home.
At your initial appointment, Dr. Olele considers your symptoms, medical history, circumstances, and goals. From there, he can develop a treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches.
Are you overwhelmed?
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, get immediate help. Call or text 988, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. This is when you put yourself first, so you can continue to be there for others in your life.
A major life change can be difficult enough without depression. If you’re not feeling like yourself and things aren’t getting better, contact us at Genesis Psychiatric Solutions to schedule an evaluation. Our offices are in Fairfax and Alexandria, Virginia, and in Washington, DC. Schedule a 10-minute phone consultation today.
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