Social Anxiety Therapy Chicago Northside
If you are like many people in Chicago seeking Social anxiety therapy, you probably dread being placed in social situations. Examples include birthday parties, gatherings with friends, bars, or concerts.
The important thing to know is you are not alone. Research suggests more than 15 million people have some form of social anxiety, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Here are some common characteristics that you may find familiar.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety
- Intense fears about situations where you think you might be judged.
- Strong fears about embarrassing yourself.
- Worries about being humiliated in public.
- A concern that you might offend someone.
- Intense fears of meeting new people or being in groups.
- Worries that other people will notice you are anxious.
- Fears of other people picking up on your trembling voice, shaky hands, or nervous demeanor.
- Avoiding anything that has to do with public speaking or presenting in front of a group.
- Staying clear of situations where you might be the focus of attention.
- Experiencing anxiety well ahead of a feared situation, event, or activity.
- Analyzing your performance after a social interaction or situation and focusing on the negative.
- Expecting a terrible consequence after a social experience or interaction.
Many of our social anxiety counselors in Chicago tell us that they have struggled with these kinds of symptoms for many years. In addition to what has been mentioned above, physical symptoms may often accompany cognitive issues.
Examples include:
- Upset stomach.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Sweating
- Clammy hands
- Rapid heartbeat
Social Anxiety Doesn’t Have To Ruin Your Life
Counseling for Social Anxiety
You may be wondering what therapy and counseling for social anxiety look like. How can your Chicago-based social anxiety therapists help me?
To begin with, you should know that there really isn’t a cookie-cutter approach to treatment. The main reason is that each person experiences social anxiety differently. That said, there are some common approaches.
Here are some basics:
- An exploration of what makes you anxious.
- Identifying your unique triggers.
- Ranking the least anxiety-producing stimuli to the most on a scale of 1-10. For example, taking the CTA Brown Line Train to the Loop may rank 3 whereas a gathering of friends at a bar on Rush Street may rank a 10.
- Assessing current coping strategies, such as avoidance or use of substances like alcohol or edibles.
- A discussion of any medical causes that may contribute to your anxiety.
My Social Anxiety Gradually Improved!
-Felix in River North, Chicago
A big part of treating social anxiety is having a safe space to share what you have been going through. In this way, you are able to talk about all of the things you have been trying to hide from others about your situation.
As part of therapy, your counselor will likely focus on some of your relationships. Examples include friends, family, and coworkers.
The purpose of exploring these relationships is to assess your perceptions. If you fear being judged by these folks or constantly find yourself in the role of “people pleaser”, this may be an indication of the severity of your problem.
Depending on the dynamics, your therapist may help you find ways to increase your self-esteem and self-concept. Assertiveness skills may also be introduced as part of creating transformation and change.
Imagine having a safe space to engage in role-play. Think about how working with a social anxiety therapist can positively impact your life.
As time goes on and therapy continues, the things that used to rank high on the anxiety scale (let’s say a 10) are gradually reduced to something more management (like a 2).
Example:
Chris was a 25-year-old who lived in Chicago’s Gold Coast. For as long as he could remember, he dreaded being around large groups of people. When asked, he ranked going to a music concert at the United Center as a “10” on the anxiety scale.
After a series of sessions with his counselor, Chris was able to dial down his reactions and reduced the anxieties associated with public gatherings down to a 2.
Recently, he saw his favorite rock band playing in Grant Park with thousands of people in attendance.
CBT and Social Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety
One of the main treatment approaches for social anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. The goal of counseling is to help you challenge irrational thoughts and allow space for more balanced thinking.
For example, if your mind jumps to automatic negative thoughts about how people will perceive you at a gathering of friends, there is a good chance you will experience increased anxiety and possibly avoid the event entirely.
Part of using CBT to work through social anxiety is to examine thoughts from a distance and challenge the ones that may be holding you back. Over time, these negative thoughts can transform into something more positive – or at least balanced.
Here is an example:
Erika is a 30-year-old graphic designer who lives on Chicago’s North Side. She was tasked with giving a presentation to a customer about her plans to rebrand a website. Whenever she thought of appearing in front of the customer, she immediately assumed they would find her incompetent.
After several CBT sessions with her social anxiety counselor, she started challenging her automatic negative thoughts and allowed space for other types of thinking. These included the possibility that the customers would like her a lot and find her very knowledgeable.
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The case above is a high-level way of seeing how CBT may help you work through your own struggles with social anxiety. As mentioned previously, there is no cookie-cutter approach and how things unfold in your situation may be different.
I’m Not Afraid of Going To Bars Anymore
-Ben in Andersonville, Chicago
Getting Therapy and Counseling
Getting therapy for social anxiety in Chicago is easier than you think. Our main offices are located in the Lakeview area, not far from Wrigley Field and close to Roscoe Village.
Some of our clients visit us from areas like Streeterville, The Loop, Uptown, and the Gold Coast. Thanks to modern technologies, you don’t even have to come into the office because video therapy sessions are an option.
If you would like to book an appointment with one of our anxiety specialists, fill out our confidential contact form today or call us at (773) 234-1350.
Social Anxiety Counseling May Help You Live a Calmer Life