Exploring the Depths of Anxiety: How Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help
Exploring the Depths of Anxiety: How Psychodynamic Therapy Can Help
Anxiety is a complex condition which can make it hard to live your everyday life in a calm and collected manner. We live in a world where fear-inducing ideas constantly bombard us, whether from the media, society, or our minds (Salzer & Bickman, 1999). Nonetheless, if your anxiety is making it difficult for you to live your life happily, you should know that psychodynamic counselling and therapy can help you (Shedler, 2010).
When you mention words like "counselling" and "therapy" to people, they often conjure up images of people lying on chaise longues while talking about their childhood. While this stereotype doesn't accurately represent the full scope of psychodynamic therapy, exploring one's past experiences and their impact on present-day anxiety is a crucial aspect of this approach (Leichsenring & Rabung, 2008).
Anxiety serves a purpose
The strange thing about anxiety is that it's not a useless emotion - we all need a certain level of anxiety in our lives; otherwise, we would never have made it this far as a species (Marks & Nesse, 1994). Without some anxiety, our Neanderthal ancestors would've been eaten by tigers left, right, and centre. A certain amount of anxiety and vigilance is what got us to where we are today. Of course, you can also apply this to a modern context too. Suppose you're walking down a derelict alleyway late at night and see a mysterious figure approaching you. In that case, you'll become anxious and worried - it's the modern equivalent of wondering whether a tiger is about to jump out of a bush and eat you. Are you about to be attacked? Are you about to be mugged? The anxiety is a valid response.
Nonetheless, most of the time, we are not in threatening situations. Most of the time, there are no tigers or mysterious figures to threaten us potentially. Most of the time, we are perfectly safe, and there is no need to worry. However, some people continue to feel anxious and worried throughout their everyday lives, feeling an aversion to crowded areas, drawing attention to themselves, and perhaps even leaving their homes. These people most likely have a form of anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Although a healthy amount of anxiety is good for keeping us safe, excessive amounts of anxiety can soon interfere with our everyday lives. This is when it becomes a problem. If you find yourself limiting your life's progress or avoiding essential events because of your anxiety, it may be time to consider psychodynamic therapy or counselling for anxiety (Milrod et al., 2007). Therapists will not demonise your anxiety; they understand that it is a necessary emotion which has gotten out of hand. Often, the anxiety is triggered by a traumatic experience or life event, something which you may be able to discuss (Jacobs, 2009). In some cases, a person can feel like they’re born with anxiety - they've been an excessive worrier for their whole life, and they've never known any different.
Whatever the root cause, anxiety should not be suffered in silence. There are psychodynamic therapists all around the UK who are committed to treating anxiety, depression, and other issues.
Psychodynamic therapy for anxiety
Psychodynamic therapy is a form of talk therapy that focuses on exploring the unconscious mind and how past experiences and relationships may be contributing to current feelings of anxiety (Gabbard, 2017). By delving into the underlying causes of anxiety, psychodynamic therapists help their clients gain insight into their emotional patterns and develop new coping strategies (Shedler, 2010).
One key aspect of psychodynamic therapy is emphasising the therapeutic relationship (Høglend, 2014). The therapist provides a safe, nonjudgmental space for the client to explore their thoughts and feelings while also offering interpretations and insights that can help the client gain a deeper understanding of their anxiety.
Through this process, clients can begin to recognise and challenge the unconscious beliefs and patterns that may be fueling their anxiety (Busch et al., 2012). They may also learn to identify and express their emotions more effectively rather than relying on avoidance or other maladaptive coping mechanisms.
While psychodynamic therapy may not immediately relieve anxiety symptoms, it can lead to long-lasting changes in emotional well-being and resilience (Leichsenring et al., 2015). By addressing the root causes of anxiety and developing new ways of relating to oneself and others, clients can experience a greater sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional freedom.
It's important to note that psychodynamic therapy is a collaborative process, and the success of treatment depends on the client's willingness to engage in self-reflection and exploration (Summers & Barber, 2009). It may not be the right approach for everyone. Still, for those who are open to the process, psychodynamic therapy can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety and improving overall mental health.
If you're struggling with anxiety and considering psychodynamic therapy, the first step is to find a qualified therapist who you feel comfortable working with. With the proper support and guidance, it is possible to overcome the limitations of anxiety and live a more fulfilling life.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). *Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders* (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Busch, F.N., Milrod, B.L., Singer, M.B., & Aronson, A.C. (2012). *Manual of panic focused psychodynamic psychotherapy - eXtended range*. Routledge.
Gabbard, G.O. (2017). *Long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy: A basic text* (3rd ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Høglend, P. (2014). Exploration of the patient-therapist relationship in psychotherapy. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 171(10), 1056-1066. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14010121
Jacobs, T.J. (2009). Psychodynamic psychotherapy and the treatment of anxiety disorders. *Psychiatric Times*, 26(9), 22-24.
Leichsenring, F., & Rabung, S. (2008). Effectiveness of long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy: A meta-analysis. *JAMA*, 300(13), 1551-1565. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.13.1551
Leichsenring, F., Salzer, S., Beutel, M.E., Herpertz, S., Hiller, W., Hoyer, J., Huesing, J., Joraschky, P., Nolting, B., Poehlmann, K., Ritter, V., Stangier, U., Strauss, B., Tefikow, S., Teismann, T., Willutzki, U., Wiltink, J., & Leibing, E. (2015). Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 172(12), 1074-1076. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15030332
Marks, I.M., & Nesse, R.M. (1994). Fear and fitness: An evolutionary analysis of anxiety disorders. *Ethology and Sociobiology*, 15(5-6), 247-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/0162-3095(94)90002-7
Milrod, B., Leon, A.C., Busch, F., Rudden, M., Schwalberg, M., Clarkin, J., Aronson, A., Singer, M., Turchin, W., Klass, E.T., Graf, E., Teres, J.J., & Shear, M.K. (2007). A randomized controlled clinical trial of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for panic disorder. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 164(2), 265-272. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2007.164.2.265
Salzer, M.S., & Bickman, L. (1999). The short- and long-term psychological impact of disasters: Implications for mental health interventions and policy. In R. Gist & B. Lubin (Eds.), *Response to disaster: Psychosocial, community, and ecological approaches* (pp. 63-82). Brunner/Mazel.
Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. *American Psychologist*, 65(2), 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018378
Summers, R.F., & Barber, J.P. (2009). *Psychodynamic therapy: A guide to evidence-based practice*. Guilford Press.