Lott Behavioral Health

It’s the same cycle… every single day.

I spend the day completely exhausted. Fighting to keep my eyes open, running on coffee… then Diet Coke… maybe even an energy drink just to get through.

All day I’m thinking, I can’t wait to go to bed tonight.

I get home and don’t even let myself sit down because I know I’ll crash. I push through everything I need to do, just waiting for the moment I can finally get in bed and relax.

And then… it happens.

The second my head hits the pillow, I’m wide awake.

Not for a few minutes… for hours.

Now my brain wants to replay everything. Plan everything. Worry about everything. I try all the “sleep tips,” write things down, clear my mind, count sheep… nothing works.

Next thing I know it’s midnight. Then 1am. Then 2am.

And now I’m not just awake, I’m anxious. Because I already know how tomorrow is going to feel.

Exhausted… all over again.

Does this happen to you? Drop a “yes” below or share what your nights look like. Know you're not the only one!

Sometimes women get called “dramatic”…when they’re actually just overwhelmed.

Feeling exhausted, anxious, irritable, foggy, or physically tense isn’t you overreacting, it can be your mind and body asking for support.
A lot of women are carrying things no one else can see. Managing schedules, remembering everything, taking care of others, keeping relationships running, switching between roles all day long. It adds up. And even when everything looks fine on the outside, your brain may never really get a break.

So when it starts to feel like “too much,” that doesn’t mean you’re being dramatic. It means your system is overloaded. We’ve been taught to label women’s distress as “too emotional” instead of recognizing it for what it often is - stress, burnout, and depletion. Listening to yourself isn’t overreacting. It’s paying attention. And it’s how you start taking care of your mental health.

Glad to be at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting and APA Assembly meetings this week, connecting with colleagues nationwide and getting updates in mental health care. Looking forward to bringing new insights back to our practice!

As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, it’s worth remembering that loneliness doesn’t always look the way we expect. It can exist behind busy schedules, laughter, and full rooms. You can feel disconnected even when you’re surrounded by people.

True connection goes beyond being around others. It’s about feeling seen, understood, and safe to be yourself. That kind of connection takes time, care, and intention. Be gentle with yourself, and with those around you. Someone can seem happy, productive, and “fine,” and still be struggling in ways you can’t see.

Reach out to Lott Behavioral Health at 630-730-5506 if you notice yourself experience more and more lonely days. We are here to support you.

Some mornings your body is out of bed, but your brain is still somewhere behind the starting line.

You’re moving, technically.
But thinking clearly? Starting tasks? Making basic decisions? That can feel way harder than it “should.”

Sometimes your brain is waking up under less-than-ideal conditions:
- not enough sleep
- too much stress
- mental overload
- low energy
- executive functioning that takes longer to come online

Some mornings might look like:
- getting stuck scrolling because your brain wants something easy first
- feeling mentally cloudy even after you’re physically up
- wanting to start, but not being able to pick the first step
- getting frustrated with yourself before the day even begins
- needing a long runway just to feel like a person

Instead of telling yourself to “try harder,” it can help to make the first step smaller, simpler, and easier to access. Less pressure. More support.

Dopamine debt is real, & it’s one of the most overlooked contributors to low motivation, emotional burnout, & that “nothing feels good anymore” feeling. The good news: your brain is incredibly resilient. With the right support, you can rebuild your dopamine baseline & reconnect with the things that once brought you joy.

If this feels familiar, our team is here to help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface and guide you toward sustainable healing.

Lott Behavioral Health

Ma*****na little help for mental health conditions, according to this report about 2 recent studies on the topic:

Scientists say ma*****na doesn’t ease anxiety or other mental health conditions | CNN Ma*****na doesn’t help with anxiety, PTSD, depression or other mental health conditions, according to two large, new studies.

Ketamine and neuroplasticity are often explained in complex scientific terms, but the idea is simple: when the brain becomes more flexible, healing becomes more accessible. Ketamine‑assisted treatment may help create a window where new pathways, new insights, & new emotional patterns can form.

If you’ve felt stuck or trapped in the same mental loops, learning about neuroplasticity can be a powerful first step.
Our team offers education, support, & evidence‑informed care to help you understand your options and move toward meaningful change.

Lott Behavioral Health: Telepsychiatrist Near Naperville, IL In-person and online psychiatric care for anxiety, depression, & addiction. Located in Lisle, near Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, & Chicago.

Adult ADHD doesn’t always look like bouncing-off-the-walls energy. In adults, it often shows up as time blindness, overwhelm, task paralysis, forgetfulness, emotional reactivity, and chronic “why can’t I just do it?”

ADHD can present differently in women and men (because of social expectations, masking, and hormones).

Women are more likely to internalize it: overthinking, perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, burnout, and working twice as hard to appear “fine.” Men are more likely to show more external signs: visible restlessness, impulsivity, risk-taking, frustration, or workplace follow-through issues.

The takeaway: ADHD is a pattern + impairment.

Night sweats, vivid dreams, jaw clenching, these under‑discussed SSRI side effects can catch people off guard. These are signals your body may be adjusting to the medication.

If you’ve noticed changes in your sleep, tension, or physical comfort after starting or modifying an SSRI, it’s worth bringing up during your next visit. A conversation can help you understand what’s happening & explore supportive options with your provider.

Your experience matters, and you deserve care that listens.

Lott Behavioral Health