Chicago therapist for anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is “fear in the absence of obvious danger.” * There are many different forms of anxiety. Some people fear losing a significant other. Some fear losing the love of a significant other (even if he/she remains present). Other people fear punishment for perceived misdeeds. Others are more afraid of their own self-criticism than of others’ judgment.

The actual cause of your anxiety may be conscious or unconscious. Your subjective experience might include distractedness, confusion, trouble thinking, anticipated rejection or abandonment, a sense of being lost, overwhelmed, or engulfed, and intense panic.

The physical symptoms often include tension, sweaty palms, headaches, an itching or tingling sensation, butterflies in the stomach, indigestion, bowel urges, a loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and in some cases a feeling of being disconnected from your own body.

In friendships and romantic relationships, you might feel an acute fear rejection (even in spite of reassurance), seek frequent reassurance, worry about overburdening others, and find yourself torn between the wish to pull others closer and the impulse to push them away.

Some common warning signs of anger issues include:

• Irritability (particularly in children)
• Frequent conflict with others
• Difficulty expressing anger or other emotions
• Recent loss or major life event
• Making threats
• Physical aggression
• Self-harm
• Easily upset by stressors
• Patterns of relationship ruptures

Over time, problematic anger can lead to serious social and health related consequences (Deffenbacher et al, 1996; Krantz & McCeney, 2002; Chida & Steptoe, 2009), and so finding help is critical. For example, people who experience anger problems tend to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), high blood pressure, interpersonal problems, and isolation.

We know how difficult the cycle of anger can be, and we know that finding help is also difficult. If you have noticed struggles with anger in your life, do not wait. Contact Depth Counseling today—and let us begin the healing process together. We specialize in helping adults and families address anger through psychotherapy and collaborative support. Our team of therapists can help you learn effective coping skills while also developing a deeper understanding of yourself.

How can Depth Counseling help?

If you are seeking an anxiety therapist in Chicago for one or more of the above symptoms, then you should consider psychodynamic psychotherapy at Depth Counseling. A psychodynamic approach will help you to uncover and explore the origins and present-day sources of your anxiety. With increased self-awareness comes increased mastery, and a sense of how to anticipate and prevent future outbreaks.

Other more superficial approaches might help you cope with your anxiety in the short-term. However, a psychodynamic approach to anxiety counseling is unique in its ability to go deeper. It will reduce your anxiety at the source so that you feel less anxious to begin with. Receiving this form of treatment at our anxiety center in Chicago will allow you to tolerate a greater range of emotion and to move forward with greater freedom to face life’s challenges.

As you work through your anxiety with one of the therapists at our anxiety clinic in Chicago, you will notice:

• Decreased responses to traumatic triggers
• Greater understanding of self and others
• Feelings of compassion and forgiveness
• Insight regarding potentially harmful life patterns
• A greater understanding of your unique personality
• Greater capacity for emotional communication
• Improvements in social relationships

Our team is dedicated to providing a safe space where you can explore your psychological world. We are passionate about serving our community through thorough anxiety treatment and diagnosis, empathic understanding, and client-centered care.

If you have difficulties with anger, anxiety, depression, or trauma, Depth Counseling can help. Do not just wait for things to get better. If you need anxiety help in Chicago, click here to learn about our teletherapy options or contact us today.

References

PDM Task Force. (2006). Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual. Silver Spring, MD: Alliance of Psychoanalytic Organizations, p. 96.

Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American psychologist, 65(2), 98.