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Alex Klein Therapy

Therapy, Crisis Consultation & Collaborative Care - Madison, CT

Surviving Your Anger

Even if you haven’t seen the recent Pixar classic, Inside Out, you probably know that anger doesn’t have the best reputation. Lewis Black ranting at the top of his lungs is perfect type-casting. But like all of our emotions, anger can be a normal and healthy outlet. The problem is that for some, this can be a challenging emotion to contain. When anger spirals out of control, it has the power to adversely affect every aspect of our lives. The goal of anger management is to reduce the emotional impact and the physiological sensations that accompany anger at its strongest.

Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. A person could be angry at a friend or colleague, for instance, over a perceived wrongdoing. And they could just as easily be angry at an unforeseen circumstance like a traffic jam or a cancelled flight. On the outside, this might look like rage. But on the inside, anger can manifest itself physically with symptoms that include an increased heart rate, along with rising blood pressure and adrenaline. These physical affects can often feel both instantaneous and scary in their intensity.

Almost everyone has probably had a brief moment of road rage or a day of irritability. But for those whose anger has become a baseline for their personality, there are likely deeper reasons to explore. In recent decades, psychological research has shown that anger is often an attempt to hide other emotions, whether it be guilt, embarrassment, fear or humiliation. Anger is not only a potential defense mechanism but it can be also be a dangerous diversion from sources of even deeper pain. [Read more…] about Surviving Your Anger

Filed Under: Adult Psychotherapy, Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy, Therapy

Living with Anxiety

More than forty million people in the United States live with some type of anxiety disorder. That’s almost twenty percent of the population. Living with anxiety is an immense challenge and it’s often compounded by the fact that few non-sufferers truly comprehend how this illness impacts lives. Whether it’s an obsessive-compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress, anxieties of all kinds can adversely impact a person’s ability to work, interact socially, or even leave the house.

Some examples of anxiety may include, but are certainly not limited to: [Read more…] about Living with Anxiety

Filed Under: Therapy

Video Gaming Disorder

From an ATARI in the early 80s to a SEGA or NINTENDO in the 1990s, video games and video gaming disorder have been an increasingly active presence in our lives for more than a few decades. Like movies and television, gaming can be an enjoyable escape from reality and a fun hobby for adolescents and teenagers. But the simpler days of Mario and Luigi are long gone. For the first time ever, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that it will classify gaming addiction as a mental health condition. Starting in 2018, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) will officially list the condition as “gaming disorder.” https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/27/health/video-game-disorder-who/index.html

Video gaming disorder has exploded into an entirely new phenomenon in the 21st century, driven by cutting-edge graphics and intricate storylines. Gaming is now an immersive experience. For some, this remains an appropriate escape from the real world. But for others, gaming has become more than a hobby. Whether its losing oneself in a world of fantasy, or obsessing over how to get to the next level of a random game, the experience can be a dangerously time-consuming distraction. And now, it can also be considered a diagnosable disorder. [Read more…] about Video Gaming Disorder

Filed Under: Adult Psychotherapy, Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy, Consultation, Psychotherapy, Therapy

Manage Winter SADness

With colder weather and shorter days, winter is officially here. It’s not unusual for people to experience seasonal mood changes at this time of year. Reduced energy, changes in eating habits, and feeling a bit down can all be signs of the “winter blues.” Instead of jumping out of bed ready to greet the day, many people want to crawl under the covers and wait for spring. However, should these symptoms present themselves in a more serious manner, or should depression set in, it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka, apt acronym: SAD).

Seasonal Affective Disorder can impact a person’s health, productivity and relationships. While cold weather may lead to less activity, the seasonal pattern most directly linked with this disorder is diminishing daylight. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock, reduce levels of feel-good chemicals in the brain (such as serotonin and melatonin), and disrupt sleep patterns that affect your daily mood.  [Read more…] about Manage Winter SADness

Filed Under: Adult Psychotherapy, Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy, Therapy Tagged With: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Turning Lessons from 2017 into Resolutions for 2018

Whenever the winter holidays approach, conversation inevitably turns to New Year’s Resolutions. Some take this annual exercise more seriously than others. But taking the time to consider potential resolutions can be a therapeutic opportunity to reflect on 2017 while also effectively planning for the year ahead.

The most common New Year’s resolutions are generally broad goals; committing to a healthier diet, saving money, or getting in better shape. These are all important pursuits! But goals aren’t always the same as resolutions. A resolution is a determined action that provides solutions for problems. A resolution is a commitment to change. And when they work, resolutions are a chance for each of us to grow as people.

There is a reason that making annual resolutions coincides with the new year. Changing your calendar may just be a symbolic metaphor for time passing, but I’d urge you to add this exercise to your therapeutic toolbox. Look back at 2017 like its a calendar. Flip through the pages and let yourself see what you remember the most. Reflect on what felt important while it was happening and consider what still stands out today. Let this newfound perspective of the past year be your guide in planning for the year ahead. [Read more…] about Turning Lessons from 2017 into Resolutions for 2018

Filed Under: Therapy

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203-499-7890

762 Boston Post Road
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alex@akleintherapy.com

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