Even the most laid-back people can get a little harried during the holidays. “If you’ve been living with unresolved stress,” says Local Psychiatrist Dr. Diana Collins, “the holiday season may be your tipping point. Please don’t think you should try to ‘power through.’ Systemic stress and anxiety have been linked to organ damage, cardiac disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s Disease. Children, adolescents, and adults can all suffer from persistent stress…but I’m here to help!”

How can you tell if you or a family member is suffering debilitating stress? Dr. Collins says, “Stress in women may feel like fatigue or exhaustion, while men may feel angry and externalize their stress. You may be over or under eating, sleeping too much or suffering from insomnia, or suffer from muscle aches, headaches, or gastrointestinal problems. Your stress may be related to external life issues…or it could be an indicator of an undiagnosed physical issue.”

“I’ll start by ruling out underlying health issues. Then we’ll identify and analyze your stressors, so we can develop plans for dealing with them. Usually medication isn’t prescribed for stress, but an antidepressant may be needed for patients suffering from an underlying illness like depression or anxiety. Taking medication to balance your brain chemistry can be as essential as taking insulin to regulate your blood sugar if you are diabetic.”

“In children and teens, it’s especially crucial to examine the causes of stress. Kids struggling with undiagnosed ADHD, depression, or anxiety may be more likely to act out in school and at home and to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. Excessive stress during the teen years can have a negative impact upon both physical and mental health later in life…and can lead to an increased risk of suicide (as I’ll discuss in next month’s article, “The Danger Zone” about the signs and symptoms of suicide in teens and young adults).”

This holiday season don’t be afraid to delegate, remember to make time for the things you love, commit to daily physical activity…and call Dr. Collins if you or your family needs help!

Diana Collins, M.D.
Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist
Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
281-240-7477
One Sugar Creek Center Blvd. Ste. 955
Sugar Land, TX 77478
www.dianacollinsmd.com
Fax: 281-240-7508
Answering Service: 713-513-7584