Dr. Sarah Allen

07/15/2026

Exhausted, on edge, and sad all at once? It's easy to wonder if you're depressed, anxious or burned out! The truth is these three overlap a lot, and figuring out which one (or which mix) you're dealing with is the first step to getting the right kind of support.
In my latest post, I walk through how each one feels in real life and what actually helps.

Learn the differences between depression, anxiety, and burnout, and when to seek therapy to feel like yourself again. Northbrook, IL

07/14/2026

Anxiety and depression are often treated as separate issues, but in midlife women they frequently show up together, driven by a mix of hormonal change and accumulated life stress.
In my latest article I share how I work with women to identify what's driving their anxiety and depression, and practical strategies to start using right away.

Anxiety and depression in midlife women often occur together, fueled by hormones and life stress. Learn about specialized therapy for women.

06/16/2026

If you're a new mom and feeling lonely, you're not alone in feeling this way.

Many women are surprised by how isolating motherhood can feel. Your days may be filled with caring for a baby, yet you can still feel disconnected from friends, family, coworkers, and even yourself.

In this article, I explore why postpartum loneliness happens, how it can affect mental health, and practical ways to feel more connected and supported.

Read more: https://drsarahallen.com/postpartum-loneliness/

Postpartum loneliness is more common than most people admit. Learn what it is, how it connects to PPD, and when therapy can help.

06/08/2026

Did you grow up in a home that felt unpredictable, stressful, or emotionally chaotic?

Many adults are surprised to discover that their anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, difficulty relaxing, or constant feeling of being "on edge" may be connected to experiences from childhood. When children grow up in chaotic environments, their nervous systems often learn to stay alert and prepared for problems, even long after the danger has passed.

The good news is that these patterns can be understood and changed. Awareness is often the first step toward healing.

In my latest blog post, I explore:
✔️ How childhood chaos affects the developing nervous system
✔️ Why adult stress responses can feel so intense
✔️ Common signs that childhood experiences may still be affecting you today
✔️ How therapy can help create healthier patterns

Read the full article here:
https://drsarahallen.com/how-childhood-chaos-shapes-adult-anxiety-and-stress/

Have you ever noticed yourself reacting to stress in ways that seem bigger than the situation itself?

Do you feel constantly on edge or overwhelmed? Discover how a chaotic childhood can affect adult anxiety, stress, and relationships.

06/02/2026

Many women with ADHD go undiagnosed for years because their symptoms don't always match the stereotype of being hyperactive or disruptive.

Instead, ADHD in women may show up as:
• Constant overwhelm
• Difficulty staying organized
• Chronic procrastination
• Forgetfulness
• Mental exhaustion from trying to "keep it all together"

Many women blame themselves for these struggles without realizing there may be an underlying reason.

In my latest article, I discuss some of the key signs of adult ADHD in women and why recognizing these symptoms can be an important first step toward getting support.

Read more here:
https://drsarahallen.com/key-signs-of-adult-adhd-in-women-what-you-need-to-know/

Learn the signs of ADHD in adult women, why it may go undiagnosed, and tips for managing ADHD, especially for mothers.

05/28/2026

Anger is a normal human emotion, but many people were never taught how to calm down when they are angry in a healthy way.

When anger becomes overwhelming, affects relationships, or leaves you saying things you later regret, it is often a sign that your nervous system is overloaded and reacting before you have time to think clearly.

In my new article, I talk about:
• why anger feels so physical
• how anxiety and overwhelm can contribute to irritability
• practical ways to calm your nervous system in the moment
• when therapy may help address what is underneath the anger

If you have ever wondered why your reactions sometimes feel stronger than you want them to be, this article may help you better understand what is happening and what you can do differently.

Read here:

Feeling angry and not sure how to manage it? Dr. Sarah Allen explains what anger does to your body, how to calm down, and when therapy can help.

05/16/2026

Do you find yourself reaching for food when you're stressed, even when you're not hungry?

Anxiety can change your appetite in two very different ways. Some people feel too anxious to eat. Others find themselves standing in the kitchen at night, reaching for comfort foods after a long, stressful day.

If that second one sounds familiar, you are not alone and it is not a willpower problem.

In my latest post I explain:

✔ The difference between emotional eating, binge eating, and stress snacking
✔ How anxiety affects your brain, hormones, and cravings
✔ A simple "pause and check in" tool you can start using today
✔ Signs it may be time to work with a therapist

Understanding what is driving your eating is the first step toward feeling less stuck.

Read the full post here:

Discover how anxiety affects emotional eating, binge eating, and stress snacking, and how therapy for emotional eating helps.

05/09/2026

Mother’s Day can be one of the hardest days of the year if you are navigating new motherhood without your own mother by your side.
Whether she has passed away, is seriously ill, lives far away, or the relationship makes her support impossible or unsafe, that absence can bring up many different emotions. And if you have recently had a baby, you may be feeling it more acutely right now.
Research shows that 1 in 3 new mothers enters the postpartum period without her own mother’s support, and that this carries a measurable effect on mental health.
I have written about what the research tells us and what can help. ov
https://drsarahallen.com/mothering-without-a-mother/

1 in 3 new mothers goes through the postpartum period without her own mother. Dr. Sarah Allen explains the research and what helps.

04/22/2026

One of the most common things I hear from new moms is: "I just don't feel like myself, but I can't tell if this is anxiety, depression, or just exhaustion."

The answer is that it's often all of these and that's exactly what makes postpartum mood disorders so hard to navigate on your own.

In my latest blog post I walk through:
✔ What postpartum depression really feels like vs. postpartum anxiety
✔ Why so many women have both at the same time
✔ The key differences in how they show up day to day — in feeding, sleep, and leaving the baby
✔ Simple strategies you can try at home right now
✔ When it's time to reach out for professional help

If any of this sounds familiar, please know that both conditions are very real, very common, and very treatable. You don't have to wait until things are unbearable to ask for help.

👇 Read the full post here:

Learn the difference between postpartum depression and anxiety and how therapy with Dr. Sarah Allen in Illinois and Florida can help you feel yourself again

03/04/2026

A mental health guide for moms of twins: recognize anxiety, depression and trauma, learn risk factors, coping tips, and when to seek therapy.