BLOG.DRSHAWNAROBERTS.COM

Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Dr Shawna Roberts — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:20:00 GMT

Coping Strategies for New Baby.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms.

http://blog.drshawnaroberts.com/2010/02/02/postpartum-depression-and-anxiety.aspx

10 Techniques for Children and Behavior

Dr Shawna Roberts — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:32:48 GMT

You can view this information by clicking on the Twitter Update available on this blog.

Your Anxiety Relationship

Dr Shawna Roberts — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:42:00 GMT

My hope is to organize this blog around treatment strategies for anxiety. Anxiety can often interfere with our relationships with others and ourselves. It can commonly interfere with our ability to perform to our optimal level of functioning. My goal is not to help people eliminate anxiety but to relate with it in a new way. Anxiety can be so helpful to inform our decisions. It becomes a struggle when we misinterpret cues and information our body is giving us.

Anxiety can interfere with parenting abilities and can often begin in the postpartum period when baby arrives. Anxiety also may be interfering with your work, school, or sport performance and learning strategies can help you excel in these areas of your life. I have also worked with many people who have anxiety in their intimate relationships that is creating distance rather than fostering closeness. In any form that anxiety reveals itself, there are many strategies to help you use it in a healthy way.

Panic Attacks

Dr Shawna Roberts — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:46:51 GMT

If you feel faint or dizzy for no apparent reason, experience heart palpitations, or feel that you are losing touch with the world around you, you may be having a panic attack. Other signs and symptoms may include pains in different parts of your body, feeling like you are going "crazy" or that you are becoming seriously ill. Panic attacks are frightening and can lead you to worry more. Be assured, however, that they are harmless and will pass.

Activities some people find helpful:

Deep breathing.

Visualizing something pleasant.

Talking with a friend.

Distracting oneself (e.g. watch a relaxing movie).

Reducing your demands (e.g. finish cleaning the house, pay the bills).

Taking time for yourself (e.g. take a warm bath).

Exercising (e.g. take a walk around the block).

It is important for you to listen to the signs that your body is giving you. Your body is telling you to do something different in honor of your health and well-being.

Keys to Building Healthy Relationships

Dr Shawna Roberts — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:15:17 GMT

I recently had a child in my office who has spent most of his childhood in front of the TV mainly playing video games. He struggles with being able to stay in touch with reality, and it is no wonder that he struggles with this when he has limited positive experiences with others.

We have recently developed a family game that offers Keys to Building Healthy Relationships called Make-A-Match. My hope is that for the holidays we may offer children gifts that enhance their development as well as create playful and positive fun.

If you are interested in checking out our therapeutic games, then please visit http://www.drshawnaroberts.com/Games.html.

Signs of Depression

Dr Shawna Roberts — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:46:16 GMT

Many children suffer from depressive symptoms. However, their symptoms tend to present themselves differently than in adults. Listed below are symptoms to look for when assessing whether your child is suffering from depression:

INFANCY: lethargy, feeding and sleeping problems, irritability, sad or expressionless face, decreased affective responsivity, decreased attention and curiosity.

PRESCHOOLERS: anger and irritability, sad facial expression, labile mood, somatic complaints, feeding and sleeping problems, lethargy, excessive crying, hyper or hypo activity, decreased socialization, tantrums, separation anxiety and anhedonia.

6-8 YEAR OLDS: prolonged unhappiness, decreased socialization, sleep problems, irritability, lethargy, poor school performance, accident-proneness, phobias, separation anxiety, and attention-seeking behaviors.

9-12 YEAR OLDS: verbalize feelings of low self-esteem and helplessness, irritability, depressed mood, sad expression, aggression, lethargy, guilt, poor school performance, phobias, separation anxiety, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, self-destructive behaviors.

Thankfully there are many ways to help people who suffer from depression. Family or individual therapy is just one of those options that has been shown to be effective.

Emotional Eating

Dr Shawna Roberts — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:35:00 GMT

As we prepare for creating wonderful memories for the holidays, keep in mind how your family traditions may be interpreted. What are the important values that you want to portray this holiday? Family traditions are often centered around food, and it can be a wonderful way to share with one another. However, many family members may struggle with emotional eating. It can be important to review the messages that children learn from traditions. Preparing family activities that involve healthy eating and spending time together may be what you are wanting in your family and there are many ways to make sure this is at the root of your traditions rather than using traditions as an excuse for overeating.

Mindful Living Newsletter

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:17:00 GMT

Fall Newsletter 2009

Winter Newsletter 2009

8 Tips for Dealing with Temper Tantrums

Dr Shawna Roberts — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:10:00 GMT

Learn strategies to deal wtih your child's temper tantrums.

http://blog.drshawnaroberts.com/2009/10/23/8-tips-for-dealing-with-temper-tantrums.aspx

Symptoms of Anxiety

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:50:00 GMT

Erin,
Your question is a common one that I hear in my office. Please review the video for your answer. If this does not completely answer your question, then please let me know and I will be happy to provide you with more details. It sounds like you have a very informed doctor which is not always the case. I am glad that he is setting you on a path to get the appropriate help that you might need.
Dr. Shawna

http://blog.drshawnaroberts.com/2009/10/23/symptoms-of-anxiety.aspx

Question the Psychologist

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:05:00 GMT

I recently went to my physician for chest pains, and he thought I might be suffering from anxiety. What are some symptoms of anxiety and can you help me with chest pains? --Erin

Twitter Updates

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:02:00 GMT

Welcome.

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:42:00 GMT

Welcome to my blog. I hope this blog can offer helpful information to you and your family. We all go through difficult times in our lives and relationships can be complicated at times. Please know that you do not have to go through this alone.

http://blog.drshawnaroberts.com/2009/06/12/dr_shawna_roberts_200961213239flv.aspx

Question the Psychologist

Dr Shawna Roberts — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:57:00 GMT

Why do I turn down the radio when I am driving in traffic?
Why are some people so difficult to deal with?
Why do I keep picking the same loser lover type?

Do you have a question about yourself or others that you have always wanted answered by a psychologist? This blog is all about that type of thing. Use the comments link to ask your questions. While I will not be able to get to all of the questions, I will try to answer as many as possible.

Ways to Deal with Anxiety

Dr Shawna Roberts — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:59:00 GMT

By identifying three types of worry (i.e. alert worry, noise worry, worry sandwich), we can choose how we will deal with this worry and not allow anxiety to control our decisions but be able to use this information to make wise choices.
http://blog.drshawnaroberts.com/2009/04/24/ways-to-deal-with-anxiety.aspx

Welcome

Dr Shawna Roberts — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:38:16 GMT

You may be caught in a difficult time in your life or perhaps just looking for answers to make your life even better. I personally know that in life we are not always dealt a generous hand. No matter what the reason, solutions are available. Hi, my name is Shawna Roberts, and I am a Colorado Psychologist. I work with people who want to live a positive and meaningful life. My mission is to make it easier for people to have healthy relationships in their life whether it be a healthier relationship with their emotions or an improved relationship with someone they love. If you could use some support and strategies then give me a call to set up an appointment. This blog is not to be considered therapy but can be a fun way to get some questions answered.

Warmly,

Shawna Roberts

Clinical Psychologist
777 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Bldg. 2, Ste. 103
Lakewood, CO 80226
303-981-2855