#OurAnxietyStories

Jason Adams, a dad of twins/husband, author of the book, OCDad: Learning to Be a Parent With a Mental Health Disorder, a musician, and a guy with OCD, in that order, candidly shares his journey with OCD in this #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series. What started as typical new-parent anxieties after the birth of his twin sons in 2019, quickly evolved into severe OCD symptoms, including intrusive thou...

In a candid conversation, Justin Mackenzie shares his journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced from his early teens through high school and beyond. Diagnosed around seventh or eighth grade, Justin reflects on how debilitating OCD impacted his daily life, academics, and relationships, often manifesting as intrusive thoughts that consumed his m...

In Part 2 of this OCD Podcast, Justine De Jaegher details a personal journey with OCD, highlighting her experience with various OCD subtypes such as harm, religious scrupulosity, gender or sexual orientation OCD, and perinatal OCD. Justine discusses the transformative impact of exposure and response prevention (ERP) and highlights the importance of tailoring treatment to be inclusive and respectfu...

In Part 1 of this OCD podcast, we dive into the personal journey of Justine De Jaegher who has faced the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) from a young age. Justine shares her experiences from when OCD first manifested with overwhelming intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the people around her, how these thoughts escalated into compulsive checking behaviours, and how the stigma...

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series, Dr. Robert Selles, a registered psychologist joins Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s clinical counsellor to explore how families and caregivers can support children dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They talk about recognizing common OCD symptoms in children, understanding when these behaviours become problematic, and the influenc...

Discover how cognitive therapy is used to treat OCD, its key components, and how it differs from ERP. Learn about thought-action fusion, cognitive distortions, and real-life examples in this insightful podcast episode with Dr. Maureen Whittal, an acknowledged expert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and internationally known for her work in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series, Mark Antczak, from Anxiety Canada interviews Dr. Peggy Richter, a leading expert in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Richter, known for her groundbreaking research on the genetic and biological underpinnings of OCD, discusses how to effectively advocate for yourself, access support, and explore various treatment options including medic...

In this episode of the #OurAnxietyStories podcast, the OCD series, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s clinical counsellor, is joined by Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff. Dr. Taube-Schiff is a registered psychologist with expertise in OCD and anxiety disorders. She founded and is the director of Forward Thinking Psychological Services and co-founded the Sunnybrook Intensive Services Program for OCD. Together,...

Navigating imposter syndrome and public speaking can increase feelings of anxiety for many. When listening to Dr. Matthew Chow, a confident and articulate public speaker, some may be surprised to learn that he deeply understands the overlap of anxiety, fear of public speaking, and imposter syndrome. In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s in-house clinical counsellor,...

Excessive anxiety is not a normal part of aging, but many older adults may experience anxiety as they experience transitions and enter a new chapter in life.   Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) and Anxiety Canada have partnered up to disseminate resources on anxiety in older adults, and CCSMH is developing new national guidelines for anxiety in older adults to help support heal...

To see the live recording of this episode, check out our  YouTube channel . Stress is a common anxiety trigger, but because a little stress is normal, it can be hard to identify when stress has become a problem. In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories , Mary-Ann Booth shares the pressure and physical impact of stress and anxiety after being elected Mayor of West Vancouver in BC, Canada. Mary-Ann’s d...

To see the live recording of this episode, check out our YouTube channel . Because anxiety presents differently for everybody, it can sometimes be easy to miss. Ayla Tesler-Mabé grew up with parents working as psychology professionals, so she was well-versed in anxiety from a young age. However, neither Ayla nor her family realized she had been grappling with anxiety and perfectionism. Ayla had fa...

Did you know that panic attacks can cause physical symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations—and even be mistaken for a medical emergency?  In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Tom Power shares his journey with anxiety—something he didn’t realize he struggled with until his adult years. Tom recalls a terrifying incident in his mid-twenties at a social gathering where...

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 h...

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. D...

Did you know that anxiety and other mental health conditions, like schizophrenia and depression, can drastically impact the trajectory of a person’s life?   In this episode of #OurAnxietystories, Lise Laforge reflects on her childhood and how it’s connected to her anxiety journey. At age 8, Lise was told she was adopted, which eventually led her to search for her birth mother. At 21, Lise received...

Did you know men are nearly twice as unlikely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder compared to women?   In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Dale Horth highlights the barriers preventing men from seeking diagnosis and treatment. Looking back on his experience working in the logging industry, Dale shares how the hyper-masculine culture of certain blue-collar jobs can make it difficult for men...

Dealing with anxiety or finding strategies for anxiety is tough at any age, but how can you manage anxiety as an adult when you didn’t have access to the right resources as a child?   In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Anxiety Canada Youth Network alum Pegah Mollahajian shares her story, and registered psychologist Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff offers her clinical expertise and insights into group...

Did you know that everyone experiences anxiety in some way or another?    In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, renowned artist Robert Bateman is interviewed by his son, #OurAnxietyStories host John Bateman. Despite having lived a fairly stressful lifestyle, as far as John recalls, his dad never experienced anxiety—or so it appeared. Robert shares that although he does not have an anxiety disorde...

Did you know that eating disorders and anxiety disorders can overlap?   In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Chloë Grande reflects on the intersection of anxiety and anorexia. Diagnosed with anorexia at 15, Chloë shares that a recent eating disorder relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic led her to recognize the role social anxiety plays in her mental health journey. Having studied communications,...

Work anxiety can impact anyone, but can you imagine having an anxiety attack right before you need to go live on air?   In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Tamara Taggart shares her story. As a successful broadcaster and speaker, she thrived in her professional life, with many around her noting that she was the busiest and most successful people they knew. But behind the scenes, she felt “odd,”...

We at Anxiety Canada are always looking for ways to improve the listener experience. Although this contest is closed, you can still complete the listener feedback survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OAS22-23. Thanks for tuning in, and lookout for new episodes later this year! *** #OurAnxietyStories is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free evidence-based resources, inc...

Mary Walsh  is a Newfoundland actor, writer and comedian, best known for  CODCO  and  This Hour has 22 Minutes .  Throughout her career, Mary has received many awards and  honorary  doctorates, including the  Governor General's Performing Arts Award (GGPAA)  for Lifetime Artistic Achievement. . Mary is an outspoken advocate for mental health and addiction awareness.     In this episode of #OurAnxi...

John Bateman, Anxiety Canada Champion and host of #OurAnxietyStories, is a mental health advocate passionate about normalizing and destigmatizing the experience of anxiety. He is also a well-known comedian, writer, event host and woodworker based in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.    In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, podcast host, John Bateman puts himself in the hot seat. John reflects...

Dr. Margaret Chisolm is Vice-Chair for Education, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and professor of Medicine, at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Chisolm is also the author of “From Survive to Thrive Living your Best Life with Mental Illness”, released in 2021.     In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories Dr. Chisolm talks about her...