Lott Behavioral Health

10/28/2025

She didn’t expect magic, just a little room to move. After her monitored ketamine session, the noise in her head dipped a notch and the day felt…wider. Her therapist called it a window.

That afternoon, she tried one small script:
Name it → Reframe it → Small action.
“Anxiety says I’ll mess this up. Reframe: I can send a draft. Action: 3-sentence email.” She hit send. Then she took a short walk, showered, and put protein on a plate. Nothing dramatic, just traction.

She booked therapy for the next day to use the window while it was open. In session, they did a quick CBT thought record and the beliefs didn’t feel welded shut. For anxiety, they chose one tiny exposure: reading the email reply without rechecking it 20 times. Later, in a quiet moment, she journaled a bit of parts/trauma work, and the words came easier than usual.

The plan stayed grounded: sleep, hydration, movement, repeat. No heroics. Just stacking doable wins while the brain was more flexible.

And yes, this is structured care. Medical evaluation → monitored dosing (IV/IM or esketamine/Spravato®) → recovery → integration plan. Short-term effects can include dissociation, dizziness, nausea, and BP changes. It isn’t right for everyone but for some, that brief window is enough to change the pattern.

If you’ve “tried everything” for depression and still feel stuck, consider a ketamine evaluation to see if this approach fits your story.

Educational only. Not medical advice.

10/24/2025

The rise in ADHD diagnoses among adult women isn’t about over-labeling; it’s about better recognizing a condition that’s been consistently missed or misunderstood. Masking, quieter symptom profiles, and biased diagnostic norms has left many women undiagnosed for decades. Increasing awareness means more women are finally getting answers and support.

Does it seem like more adult women than ever are being diagnosed with ADHD? There’s a reason why.

Recent research shows these diagnoses are rising—not because the disorder is new, but because studies and surveys are finally highlighting how ADHD presents in women. Factors include subtle symptoms, decades of underdiagnosis, and social “masking,” while telehealth and awareness campaigns have made it easier for women to seek evaluation.

Learn more about what the latest research reveals about ADHD in adult women: https://on.natgeo.com/47CBNsv

10/23/2025

Perinatal mental health spans pregnancy through 12 months postpartum, far beyond “baby blues.” PMADs include postpartum anxiety, perinatal OCD, birth trauma/PTSD, depression, and (rare) postpartum psychosis. If you’re noticing intrusive thoughts, panic, rage, or numbness, you’re not alone and you’re not broken. Evidence-based care works. From CBT/IPT to medication options compatible with pregnancy/breastfeeding, plus sleep scaffolding and nervous-system tools. Partners can struggle too. Early support protects bonding, sleep, and recovery. Comment SUPPORT for our Perinatal Calm Checklist. If you need immediate help, call 988 (US) or go to the nearest ER.

Sarah Masri, PA-C has extensive experience with the psychiatric management of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period, as well as during fertility challenges. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

10/10/2025

That’s how some patients talk about their first few Spravato®/ketamine sessions: not instant joy, but breathing room. A little distance from the noise so therapy, sleep, and routines can start working again.

What’s happening, in plain English: ketamine briefly boosts glutamate signaling (your brain’s ‘go build’ messenger), which can open a short “window of plasticity.” In that window, your brain may form new, healthier pathways, especially when paired with therapy and daily habits that support mood.

What people often notice:
• A shift from “I can’t” to “maybe.”
• Thoughts feel less sticky; rumination eases.
• Energy to do one small thing (shower, text back, step outside).

What it is/isn’t:
• A medical treatment for treatment-resistant depression (and in some cases, MDD with suicidal thoughts).
• Monitored in-clinic with vitals + a trained team (Spravato requires post-dose observation).
• Not a cure-all or a DIY fix, and not right for everyone.

Safety basics:
• You’ll need a full evaluation to see if you’re a candidate.
• Expect same-day drowsiness or dissociation; don’t drive until cleared.
• Best results come when it’s part of a plan (therapy, sleep, movement, meds as indicated).

Questions about what treatment is like? Call our office to explore your options.

10/07/2025

Multitasking is a myth your brain loves to believe. Studies show it actually reduces efficiency and increases mistakes because your brain is constantly refocusing between tasks instead of truly doing them at once.

That mental juggling act also activates your stress response, leaving you tired but wired at the end of the day. The result? More burnout, less balance.

At Lott Behavioral Health, we see the impact of chronic overstimulation every day...fatigue, anxiety, burnout, even sleep issues.

💬 What’s one area of your life where multitasking sneaks in the most? (Be honest...emailing during Netflix counts!)

09/28/2025

A great day for NAMI DuPage Run for the Mind this morning - we were glad to sponsor and participate again this year!

09/24/2025

Come out Saturday and join us at the NAMI DuPage Run/Walk!

🎉 Join NAMI DuPage and DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team for a Day of Fun, Fitness & Mental Health Awareness!
NAMI DuPage and DuPagePLT are hosting a 5K Run/Walk and Color Run at the scenic St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville!
🕘 Start your day with an inspiring Opening Ceremony, then hit the trails for a USATF-certified 5K Run/Walk.
💥 Stick around for the 1-Mile Color Run – co-hosted with the DuPage Prevention Leadership Team and led by local high schoolers to help fight stigma through an Anti-Stigma Campaign!
🎯 100% of proceeds support local mental health programs and services.
✨ Your steps make a difference—for individuals, families, and the whole community.
Learn more: https://namidupage.org/run-for-the-mind/

09/24/2025

Ever catch yourself scrolling through bad news, feeling worse with every swipe but unable to stop?

That’s doom scrolling.

And in 2025, it’s quietly fueling anxiety for millions. Your brain craves control, but the endless stream of fear and outrage only deepens emotional exhaustion. You deserve peace, not panic.
Swipe through to learn how doom scrolling hijacks your mental health and how to take back control.

09/22/2025

Burnout isn’t always loud. Sometimes it appears to be high performance, endless emails, and a smile that hides exhaustion.

In 2025, the ‘Always On’ work culture is quietly fueling depression and it’s time we talked about it.

If you’ve been feeling emotionally drained, disconnected, or just not yourself, you’re not alone.
Your mental health matters more than your inbox. Let’s protect your peace. 💬🧠
👉 Swipe through to learn more
🔗 Link in bio for our website to schedule an appointment.

09/19/2025

Here’s the reality:
Men are 4x more likely to die by su***de than women, yet they’re far less likely to seek therapy or psychiatric support.

Research shows men often mask depression as irritability, withdrawal, or overworking, not the classic sadness we tend to expect.

Fall transitions can often mean longer work hours, financial stress, shorter daylight which can quietly worsen symptoms of anxiety, burnout, and depression.

This season brings increased cognitive load (new routines, deadlines, financial strain) paired with less sunlight and more isolation. For many men, it’s the “perfect storm” for mental health struggles, often hidden behind humor, sports talk, or silence.

What can help:

Normalize the conversation. Asking, “How’s your stress level?” instead of “Are you okay?” can open doors. Look beyond the mask. Anger, fatigue, or withdrawal may signal depression. Encourage support early. Studies show that men who connect with psychiatry or therapy sooner see better long-term outcomes in treatment and recovery.

Silence doesn’t heal, but connection can.

09/18/2025

Therapy is powerful but healing doesn’t happen in isolation.

Support networks are the emotional scaffolding that hold us up when life gets heavy. Whether it’s a friend who listens, a partner who checks in, or a community that understands, you deserve connection.

Swipe through to learn why support is just as important as therapy.

09/10/2025

Research shows su***de is rarely about the desire for life to end. It’s about unbearable pain, hopelessness, & isolation.

💡Did you know? Hopelessness, not depression alone, is one of the strongest predictors of suicidal thinking. But the flip side is powerful: even one supportive connection can cut su***de risk by up to 50% (American Journal of Psychiatry).

That means you matter more than you think. A simple check-in, a coffee invite, or a text that says, “You’re important to me, how’s your heart today?” can shift someone’s path.

Connection heals. Every conversation matters. Every text matters. Every presence matters. Let’s stop saying “Call me if you need anything” and start showing up, so no one has to carry the weight alone.

***deawareness