Identifying anxiety: Are you…

• Struggling with excessive fear or worry that persists and is difficult to control?
• Avoiding certain situations because of the anxiety you experience? 
• Experiencing physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances from the anxiety? 
• Worrying about the future and constantly wondering “what if?”, often resorting to the worst-case scenario? 

About anxiety

• Anxiety is a natural response to stress, characterized by feelings of apprehension, worry, and physical symptoms such as increased heart rate or muscle tension
• Anxiety is part of our primitive nature and allows us to survive, but when it is in overdrive, it can become debilitating
• Untreated, anxiety can negatively impact your quality of life, relationships, and ability to function
• Despite its prevalence, only one-third of Canadians with anxiety disorders seek and receive treatment
• It’s estimated that anxiety disorders affect approximately 11% of Canadians, impacting daily life with symptoms ranging from mild to severe
• Understanding anxiety involves recognizing its various forms, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias, each presenting unique challenges

Treatment for anxiety

• Treatment for anxiety typically involves understanding how anxiety works, challenging the thoughts and rules that your anxiety has created, learning your own self-regulation, and practicing non-avoidance through exposures and behavioural experiments 
• Evaluation to see if you meet criteria for any of the following anxiety-related disorders: Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and/or Illness Anxiety Disorder