Seasonal Anxiety Counseling Palos Hills IL

There’s actually an explanation for seasonal anxiety. According to ayurveda, the changing weather affects your emotions as well as your body. When the weather turns cool, dry, and windy in late autumn and winter, it increases your vata dosha, which governs activity in the brain and nervous system.

Candace McMillan
(773) 519-4103
9944 South Robets Road
Palos Hills, IL
Services
School-based Consultation, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender Issues, Gender Issues (MenÆs/WomenÆs Issues), Individual Psychotherapy, Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Adler School of Professional Psychology
Credentialed Since: 2007-03-23

Data Provided by:
James B. Goebel
(708) 349-4404
1600 Ravinia Pl
Orland Park, IL
Services
Individual Psychotherapy, Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Psychological Assessment
Ages Served
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Texas Christ U
Credentialed Since: 1979-05-03

Data Provided by:
Mrs. Lisa Panozzo
Chicago Neuro Behavioral Specialist
(708) 846-2869
15010 S. Ravinia Ave.
Orland Park, IL
Credentials
Credentials: LCSW
Licensed in Illinois
11 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Behavioral Problems, Couple or Marital Issues, Depression, Developmental Disability, Family Dysfunction, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal Relationships, Parenting Issues, Pregnancy/Childbirth, Stress, Education/Personal Development, Life
Populations Served
Children of Divorce, Disabled, Step Families, Gifted, Interracial Families/Couples
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Adolescents (13-17), Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59)

Data Provided by:
Mario M. Gallo
(708) 423-5330
3830 W. 95th St, Ste 110
Evergreen Park, IL
Services
Individual Psychotherapy, Couples Psychotherapy, Family Psychotherapy, Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder)
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Older adults (65 yrs. or older)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Miami U/Ohio
Credentialed Since: 1979-07-30

Data Provided by:
Linda Goodsitt
(708) 354-0065
143 South Edgewood Ave.
LaGrange, IL
Services
Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Adjustment Disorder (e.g., bereavement, acad, job, mar, or fam prob), Schizophrenia or other Psychotic Disorder, Disorder Diagnosed in Infancy-Adolescence (e.g., ADHD, LD, MR, or Pervasive Devel Disorder)
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Older adults (65 yrs. or older)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Loyola University of Chicago
Credentialed Since: 2000-11-20

Data Provided by:
Henry K. Errek
(708) 403-5223
9641 W 153rd St, Ste 45
Orland Park, IL
Services
Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Individual Psychotherapy, Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Couples Psychotherapy
Education Info
Doctoral Program: University of Southern Mississippi
Credentialed Since: 1984-09-10

Data Provided by:
Kersey H. Antia
(708) 460-6060
8318 W 138th Pl
Orland Park, IL
Services
Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Individual Psychotherapy, Couples Psychotherapy, Substance-Related Disorder (e.g., abuse or dependency involving drug/alcohol)
Languages Spoken
Gujarati,Hindi,Urdu
Education Info
Doctoral Program: North Carolina State University
Credentialed Since: 1975-03-26

Data Provided by:
Mrs. Sandra Derda
The Kirk Clinic
(708) 212-7229
15040 Ravinia Ave.
Orland Park, IL
Credentials
Credentials: LCSW
Licensed in Illinois
33 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Couple or Marital Issues, Depression, Interpersonal Relationships, Psychoses/Major Mental Illness, Stress, Education/Personal Development, Life Transitions, Personality Disorders, Women's Issues
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59), Seniors (60 +)

Data Provided by:
Ms. Malinda Steele
Malinda A. Steele, LCSW, ACSW, BCD
(708) 229-2976
9730 South Western Avenue Suite 627
Evergreen Park, IL
Credentials
Credentials: LCSW, ACSW, BCD
Licensed in Illinois
34 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Bipolar Disorders, Career/Employment Concerns, Child Abuse and Neglect, Couple or Marital Issues, Depression, Dissociative Disorders, Family Dysfunction, Grief/Loss, Infertility, Interpersonal Relationships, Obsessive/Compulsive Di
Populations Served
ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), Children of Divorce, Caregivers
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Preschool (Under 6), Children (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59), Seniors (60 +)

Data Provided by:
Peter Perrotta
(630) 586-0900
2907 Butterfield Road
Oakbrook, IL
Services
Family Psychotherapy, Couples Psychotherapy, Disorder Diagnosed in Infancy-Adolescence (e.g., ADHD, LD, MR, or Pervasive Devel Disorder), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder)
Ages Served
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: University at Buffalo/SUNY
Credentialed Since: 1985-12-20

Data Provided by:
Data Provided by:

Relief from Seasonal Anxiety

Provided by: 

By Nancy Lonsdorf, MD

Every fall I start feeling anxious and crave sugar. Why does this happen in autumn?

There’s actually an explanation for seasonal anxiety. According to ayurveda, the changing weather affects your emotions as well as your body. When the weather turns cool, dry, and windy in late autumn and winter, it increases your vata dosha, which governs activity in the brain and nervous system. Too much vata can create excessive thoughts and anxiety. You may have felt some relief from anxiety during summer—when the hot, humid weather dampens vata—but once the cold weather returns, so does vata-based anxiety.

It makes sense that you would reach for the sweets, because pleasurable foods high in carbohydrates and fat are known to increase endorphins in the brain, which help maintain a calm, happy mood. Obviously, though, the downside of eating refined sugar (mood swings, obesity, and nutritional depletion) will only add to your anxiety in the long run.

Instead, take a clue from ayurveda, and choose wholesome sweet food instead of sugar to calm your worries, boost endorphin levels, and balance your vata. Rice, milk, fresh and dried fruits, as well as whole grains and other complex carbohydrates are all sweet by ayurvedic standards and will satisfy your craving without creating further imbalances.

Another solution: Reach for a soothing hot drink, which will calm your agitated vata by its warmth and hydrating effects. Rather than caffeine, which can add to anxiety, try steamed milk (latte, hold the café), chamomile tea, or a blend of chai-like spices. As I mentioned earlier, even plain hot spring water can do the trick and has the added bonus of reducing cravings and aiding digestion.

Some additional dietary tips to balance vata include favoring cooked foods over raw and moist foods over dry, crunchy ones. (Out with the crackers, in with the rice pudding!)

It’s also important to address your overall tendency toward anxiety. Practices that might help dampen your overactive sympathetic nervous system—your fight-or-flight response to stress and anxiety—such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, as well as regular exercise and an early bedtime, can all help stress roll off your back both at work and at home.

Author: Nancy Lonsdorf, MD

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