Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse
Many individuals who have addictions to alcohol and/or substances may have an underlying anxiety disorder or mood disorder. What may have started as a way of calming one’s nerves, or making social situations easier to bear, can often turn into its own problem. Once the individual has started the process of controlling or abstaining from…
Read MoreAgoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the avoidance of various situations, and is typically associated with a fear of having a panic attack. Individuals who experience panic attacks often avoid places and situations where they fear escape or getting help will be difficult. Situations such as crowds, public transportation, traffic jams, highways, theatres, planes, line-ups and elevators, are several…
Read MorePsychologist
The term Psychologist is a protected title, governed by the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO). The CPO is a regulatory body for the profession of psychology (as is the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for medical doctors). The mandate of the CPO is to protect the interests of the public by monitoring…
Read MorePosttraumatic Stress Disorder
The essential feature of PTSD is experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event that involves the threat of or actual loss of life, or serious injury to oneself or others. The reaction or response to the traumatic event typically consists of extreme fear or horror. Examples of traumatic events include serious car accidents, sexual assaults, war,…
Read MoreAssertiveness
Assertiveness is a social skill as is eye contact, body language, and listening. Social skills are behaviours that help us experience pleasure in social situations. In other words, if a social situation did not feel good, then it is likely because you were not using social skills. And, because it didn’t feel good, you’re likely…
Read MoreSocial Phobia
Anxiety that occurs in the context of social situations is consistent with a diagnosis of social anxiety. This is an anxiety that stems from fears of judgement and negative evaluation and/or fears of saying or doing something that could cause embarrassment or humiliation. Typically the anxiety is controlled through avoidance of social situations, or at…
Read MoreGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Worrying is a normal part of life, such as worry before a job interview, worry over a sick loved one, worry about a school assignment or worry before giving a speech. However, when the worrying occurs for days on end or for more days than not, it is no longer considered normal. Some people find…
Read MorePanic Disorder
Feeling suddenly scared and fearful in situations where one wouldn’t expect to feel that way is symptomatic of a panic attack. Panic attacks typically consist of rapid or pounding hear rate, shortness of breath, chest tightness, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, feeling sweaty, hot or cold, with tingles or numbness in the hands, feet or face. Individuals…
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