Fear of the unknown, dwelling on the future, and thinking in “what-if” scenarios can be major anxiety triggers, especially for those facing big life changes.

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Kelda Logan reflects on how anxiety has manifested throughout her life, including during childhood, becoming a parent, and her battle with breast cancer. Like many, Kelda didn’t know she had anxiety in her earlier years. She thought her experience with perfectionism, panic attacks, avoidance, and her fear of spiders, flying, and highways were normal. It wasn’t until Kelda became a mom and failed a postpartum depression screening test, despite not being “sad,” that she realized something else might be going on. Kelda emphasizes that for her, meditation and mindfulness are of great help, highlighting that she shared these tools with her students and other faculty members during her years as an educator. Looking at the silver lining, Kelda is proud to share that although she’s faced many trials and tribulations throughout her life, she’s now “more aware and more resilient.”

The post Facing Fears and Conquering Cancer: The Story of Kelda Logan appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

When it comes to treating anxiety and other mental health disorders, there isn’t a ‘one-size fits all’ treatment approach.

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Dr. Kourosh Edalati shares his experience as medical director and CEO at Elumind Centre for Brain Excellence, a private outpatient healthcare centre specializing in optimizing brain functions through various neurotherapeutic modalities. Dr. Edalati highlights the importance of building rapport with patients and creating individualized treatment plans, stressing that different people may respond to different treatments. Dr. Edalati also explains why an integrated approach to mental and brain health, such as the ‘roads, cars, and driver’ model used at Elumind, can be beneficial when treating patients with mental health challenges including anxiety.

The post An Integrative Approach to Brain Health with Elumind’s Dr. Edalati appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

Hannah Stone is an artist who began painting and designing clothes in 2002. Inspired by the nostalgia of childhood visits to the seaside arcade, Hannah claims her work “has a way of transporting the viewer to a sweeter and simpler time”.   

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories Hannah dives into her journey with anxiety and bipolar disorder, sharing that she didn’t realize she had anxiety her entire life until recently receiving a diagnosis. Hannah shares that in the past, she was able to hide how she was feeling, and put up a front for the outside world.

As a recovered substance user, Hannah mentions that for a long time she coped by self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Today, Hannah is eagerly exploring the various coping tools and strategies available and learning to cope with her anxiety day by day. To see Hannah’s art visit www.gohannahstone.com.  

The post How Anxiety and Bipolar Disorder Can Overlap with Hannah Stone appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories Mark dives into his personal journey with anxiety and panic, as well as his professional experience as a mental health professional. As someone with both lived and professional experience on the topic, Mark emphasizes how important it is for those with anxiety to overcome avoidance and face their fears.  Mark also discusses his work at Anxiety Canada, touching on resources offered including MindShift CBT, a free anxiety-management app, and MindShift CBT Groups, an online group therapy program. 

The post Anxiety from a Clinical Lens with Mark Antczak appeared first on Anxiety Canada.