There are numerous reasons why individuals struggle with being assertive. It likely started during childhood. They may have grown up in a household where “children are to be seen and not heard”, where parents may have become angry if children spoke up, or where parents did not demonstrate assertiveness themselves. Ultimately, it’s anxiety and fear…

The inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or return to sleep are features of insomnia. The person suffering from insomnia may experience daytime sleepiness, difficulty with focus and concentration, irritability, anxiety or depression. In some cases the insomnia is a factor related to a psychological condition, such as anxiety, worry, stress or depression. It can…

Individuals can become preoccupied with very specific health worries, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart disease and others. Fears of getting sick and dying result in overwhelming anxiety and can even lead to panic attacks. These worries can be difficult to control, and typically cause individuals to seek reassurance from doctors and specialists, and possibly undergo…

Fortunately, there are many safe and effective medications for the treatment of anxiety and depression. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (i.e. Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Ciprolex, Cymbalta, Luvox and Prozac), benzodiazepines (i.e. Ativan, Lorazepam, Clonazepam, etc.) and other anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications (i.e. Effexor, Remeron and Wellbutrin) are commonly prescribed alone or in combination to manage the…

It is normal to feel sad, down or blue for brief periods. However, when the sadness lasts for days on end or when you lose your interest, desire or motivation for pleasurable activities, you may be experiencing a clinical depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder. Clinical depression can be a response to major life…

Anger is the emotional response to a perceived threat. Like all emotions, the intensity will vary from mild to severe, as well as infrequent to frequent. When individuals experience severe and frequent episodes of anger they may be demonstrating anger dysregulation, and with that, the possibility of aggressive or violent behaviours. Road rage, acting out,…

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…

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,…