Lott Behavioral Health

Lott Behavioral Health Psychiatry for Chicago's western suburbs Psychiatric Treatment and Addiction Treatment in a private comfortable office setting.

Medication response often looks… unglamorous.Not fireworks—follow-through. Not “fixed,” more functional.You might still ...
01/21/2026

Medication response often looks… unglamorous.
Not fireworks—follow-through. Not “fixed,” more functional.

You might still have anxiety/depression/ADHD symptoms, but they don’t hijack the whole day. You get a little more space between the trigger and the spiral. Your coping tools actually land.

If you’re wondering whether it’s working, don’t only ask “Do I feel great?”
Ask: Is life more manageable? Am I recovering faster? Is my baseline steadier?

Perfectionism is often talked about like a “high standards” thing but for many people, perfectionism is anxiety in disgu...
01/15/2026

Perfectionism is often talked about like a “high standards” thing but for many people, perfectionism is anxiety in disguise. It can be a form of self-protection your brain learned to use to avoid criticism, rejection, or shame.

If you grew up in an environment where mistakes felt unsafe (emotionally or socially), your nervous system may have learned: be perfect to stay safe. That can show up as overthinking, people-pleasing, procrastination, avoidance, or constant checking even when you’re capable and motivated.

Here’s the reframe that helps:
Perfectionism isn’t a character flaw. It’s a coping strategy.
And coping strategies can be updated.

Try this today if you’re stuck in a perfectionism spiral:
➡️What am I afraid will happen if this isn’t perfect?
➡️Is that fear about right now… or a familiar old story?

If this resonates, save this post for the next time you’re rewriting the same thing for the 12th time. And share it with a friend who’s “productive” but exhausted.

01/13/2026

Progress isn’t always polished—but it’s exciting nonetheless.

Here’s a quick walkthrough of our new Lott Behavioral Health space while it’s still in the early stages of construction. You’ll see exposed framing, electrical conduit, and the bones of what will soon become a warm, supportive place for care.

Every wire and wall is part of building a space where healing can happen. More to come as the vision continues to take shape.

You can look totally fine…and still be deeply not okay.A quick story (that might feel uncomfortably familiar):You wake u...
01/07/2026

You can look totally fine…and still be deeply not okay.

A quick story (that might feel uncomfortably familiar):
You wake up, answer the texts, show up to work, smile in the meeting, make a joke, help someone else…
Then you get home, sit on the couch, and your brain goes:
“Great job today! Now let’s feel nothing.”

That’s what people often mean by smiling depression (sometimes called high-functioning depression)...when you’re functioning on the outside, but internally you’re running on fumes. And it’s more common than people think:
About 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year. Depression can be part of that picture and it doesn’t always look like crying all day in bed. Sometimes it looks like being “the reliable one” who is quietly struggling.

Smiling depression can show up as:
✔️feeling numb or
✔️disconnected from your life
✔️fatigue that sleep doesn’t fix
✔️irritability (more than sadness)
✔️going through the motions on autopilot
✔️losing interest in things you should enjoy
✔️crashing at night after “holding it together” all day

Here’s the part adults really need to hear:
Functioning isn’t the same as flourishing. And you don’t have to “earn” help by falling apart first.

If you’re reading this thinking, “Yep… but I’m still getting everything done,” consider this your permission slip: you can be high-achieving and depressed. Both can be true.

If this feels like you, start small:
✅ tell one trusted person
✅ talk with a therapist
✅ consider a psychiatric evaluation if symptoms are sticking around (sleep, mood, motivation, focus)

If you’re in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call/text 988 (U.S.) for immediate support.

Every strong space starts with a solid foundation.These in-progress photos show framing and drywall work underway—import...
01/06/2026

Every strong space starts with a solid foundation.

These in-progress photos show framing and drywall work underway—important steps that will soon become private offices, treatment rooms, and supportive spaces for care.

It’s exciting to see the structure forming that will soon support so many journeys forward.

The shift from one year to the next often brings immense pressure to "transform" everything overnight. We focus on every...
01/02/2026

The shift from one year to the next often brings immense pressure to "transform" everything overnight. We focus on everything we think is wrong, setting huge, restrictive goals that are destined to fail and that reinforce a feeling that we aren't good enough. This year, let's redefine the New Year's resolution. It’s not about intensity; it’s about consistency and self-compassion.

What is one small, low-pressure mental health goal you are setting for the first week of January? Share it below!

As this year comes to a close, we just want to say thank you. To our clients:Thank you for trusting us with your stories...
12/30/2025

As this year comes to a close, we just want to say thank you.

To our clients:
Thank you for trusting us with your stories, your struggles, and your progress. Every appointment, every hard conversation, every small step forward matters & we’re honored to walk alongside you.

To our community and referral partners:
Thank you for believing in collaborative care and for sending patients our way with such intention and care. Your partnership helps people get connected to the support they need.

To our team:
Thank you for showing up with expertise, compassion, and humility day after day. The work you do may not always be visible, but the impact is felt in homes, classrooms, workplaces, and relationships across our community.

As we look ahead to the new year, our commitment remains the same:
🧠Evidence-based, compassionate mental health care
🤝A collaborative, person-centered approach
🌱A safe space for growth, healing, and change

From all of us at Lott Behavioral Health, thank you for being part of this year’s journey. We’re grateful for you & we’re here for you in the year ahead.

Wishing you a peaceful end to the year and a gentle start to the next.

If you feel like a different person every winter, you’re not imagining it & you’re not alone.Researchers estimate that a...
12/26/2025

If you feel like a different person every winter, you’re not imagining it & you’re not alone.

Researchers estimate that about 5% of adults experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) each year, and many more have milder “winter pattern” depression symptoms. In some northern regions, rates can climb closer to 1 in 10 people. Women are affected more often than men, and symptoms usually start in young adulthood.

Common winter mood changes we see in the office:

* Struggling to wake up and get going most days

* Increased sleep but still feeling exhausted

* Craving carbs/sugar and gaining weight more easily

* Feeling more irritable, hopeless, or emotionally “flat”

* Losing interest in work, school, or hobbies you normally enjoy

* Noticing this pattern repeat every fall and winter

This isn’t laziness or lack of discipline. It’s a biological response to shorter days, less sunlight, and changes in brain chemicals like serotonin and melatonin. The good news: it’s treatable.

Psychiatric treatment for seasonal depression can include:

🌓Light therapy to regulate your circadian rhythm
💊Medication options when appropriate
🧠Therapy to build coping skills and structure
☀️ Screening for vitamin D deficiency and other health factors

If winter is consistently hijacking your mood, focus, or relationships, you don’t have to “wait it out” until spring. Support is available. Our psychiatry team helps patients understand their seasonal patterns and create a personalized plan so winter feels more manageable.

Visit LottBehavioralHealth.com to schedule an appointment.

From all of us at Lott Behavioral Health, have a healthy and happy holiday season!
12/24/2025

From all of us at Lott Behavioral Health, have a healthy and happy holiday season!

Lott Behavioral Health staff got together last week to pack some meals at Feed My Starving Children
12/24/2025

Lott Behavioral Health staff got together last week to pack some meals at Feed My Starving Children

Big things are taking shape.We’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at our new Lott Behavioral Health location i...
12/23/2025

Big things are taking shape.

We’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at our new Lott Behavioral Health location in Lisle, IL—currently under construction and already full of possibility.

This space is being thoughtfully designed to support what matters most: privacy, comfort, and a calm environment for healing and growth. We can’t wait to welcome our patients here in the new year.

Stay tuned as the vision continues to come together. 💙

It's a common, understandable pattern: feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, we use alcohol to temporarily numb the discomfort...
12/22/2025

It's a common, understandable pattern: feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, we use alcohol to temporarily numb the discomfort. For a brief moment, it feels like relief. But here's the innovative angle: alcohol is a depressant that acts as a sedative. While it initially calms the nervous system, your brain then works overtime to rebalance itself.

The "Anxiety Rebound": What's Really Happening?
As alcohol leaves your system, your brain goes into overdrive, increasing activity in neurotransmitters like glutamate (an excitatory neurotransmitter) to counteract the depressive effects. This leads to:

Heightened Anxiety: Often manifesting as a restless, uneasy feeling, especially the next morning.

Sleep Disruption: Even if you fall asleep faster, alcohol severely impairs REM sleep, leaving you unrested and often more anxious.

Increased Irritability: Your nervous system is on high alert, making you more prone to stress.

Breaking the Cycle:
Understanding the anxiety rebound isn't about judgment; it's about empowerment. It’s about recognizing that the temporary "fix" often intensifies the very problem you’re trying to escape.

If you find yourself regularly using alcohol to manage anxiety, consider:

Mindful Observation: Pay attention to how you feel the day after drinking. Journal it.

Alternative Wind-Downs: Experiment with deep breathing, a warm bath, reading, or gentle stretching.

Seeking Support: Talking to a mental health professional can help you explore healthier, more sustainable coping strategies for anxiety.

👉 Have you noticed an "anxiety rebound" after drinking? Share your experience (or alternative coping strategies!) in the comments below.

Address

4300 Commerce Court , Suite 250
Lisle, IL
60532

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 8pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+16307305506

Website

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