Here is a link for the Stress in America Survey Results for the Washington DC area. See how jobs, relationships, money and housing are affecting our community (and possibly you!). I am seeing more anxiety that manifests as irritability and fatigue and the results bear this out.
We live in a pressure-filled environment and so must be conscious of its effects on our lives. Take a look at your life. What are your sources of stress? Money and work? Relationships? Raising kids? It may seem difficult to pin it down at first glance because the tendency is to focus on symptoms. For example, if you are feeling irritated with your spouse the focus will be on your spouse's behavior and not on your stress level and irritability. The challenge is to step outside your immediate experience so you can see more clearly how all the parts are interacting. Perhaps your spouse's behavior is problematic in that it does trigger a negative response from you. However, perhaps your response is exacerbated by (for example) your own pattern of self-criticism. When something like this is at play, external stress presses on internal stress and a negative cycle begins. Make sense?
I offer this as a way to begin your self-reflection. - Dr. Robin
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