Adult | Anxiety Canada

The OCDad: Navigating OCD, Parenthood, and the Journey to Healing

Rebecca Naidoo — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

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 thoughts about his children’s safety. This strain affected his relationships and daily life, prompting him to seek therapy and a formal diagnosis. Through treatment, Jason learned to manage his OCD, though balancing his needs with family responsibilities was tough. He points out the importance of understanding how OCD impacts loved ones and not just the individual. Jason highlights the transformative journey of understanding and acceptance, acknowledging the temporary discomfort of change and the long-term benefits of these therapeutic approaches. His openness about integrating clinical strategies with compassionate family dialogue emphasizes the collaborative effort necessary to manage OCD’s effects within family life.

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Sometimes You Have to Eat a Gummy Off a Toilet Seat – Justin Mackenzie

Rebecca Naidoo — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:00:03 +0000

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 mind. He emphasizes the common misconception surrounding OCD, distinguishing his experiences from the more benign behaviors often associated with the disorder.

Justin highlights the importance of understanding that OCD is not who he is but rather a condition he navigates. Ultimately, his story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding listeners that recovery is possible and that support is essential in overcoming the hurdles of mental illness.

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Understanding Sleep Biology

Kathleen Murdock — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:52:31 +0000

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Navigating the Noise: Part 2 – From Intrusive Thoughts to Advocacy with Justine De Jaegher

Rebecca Naidoo — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:00:55 +0000

In Part 2 of the 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 respectful. The conversation emphasizes the diversity of OCD presentations, challenges with accessing appropriate treatment, the stigma surrounding taboo subtypes and the need for systemic reform to improve accessibility and equity in mental health services. Justine encourages advocacy to advance mental health awareness and policy changes.

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OCD Support Groups Across Canada

Kathleen Murdock — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:57:33 +0000

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Navigating the Noise: Part 1 – with Justine De Jaegher

Rebecca Naidoo — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:30:30 +0000

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 and misunderstanding surrounding OCD complicated her path to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout this candid conversation, Justine talks about the evolution of her OCD into themes like religious scrupulosity and perinatal OCD, the impact it had on her life, finding the right treatments, and the importance of advocacy and awareness in improving access to effective OCD treatment. This discussion not only sheds light on the realities of living with OCD but also offers hope and insight for those navigating similar struggles.

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Finding The Right Treatment for OCD in Canada

Kathleen Murdock — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 02:02:59 +0000

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Understanding Cognitive Therapy for OCD with Dr. Maureen Whittal

Rebecca Naidoo — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 15:33:18 +0000

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, part of the OCD Series, Mark Antczak from Anxiety Canada talks with Dr. Maureen Whittal, co-founder of Anxiety Canada and chair of its Scientific Advisory Committee. Dr Whittal delves into how we interpret and give meaning to intrusive thoughts, the role of shame, and the differences between Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and cognitive therapy for OCD. She discusses the emotional impact of these thoughts, how they can conflict with our values, and offers insights on reducing their perceived threat by seeing them as just thoughts, without giving them undue power. This episode provides valuable guidance on addressing the complex emotions associated with OCD.

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Access to OCD Treatments and When to Seek Them with Dr Peggy Richter

Rebecca Naidoo — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 14:33:55 +0000

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... VIEW

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Understanding OCD and Anxiety: Key Differences, Symptoms and Treatment Options with Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff

Rebecca Naidoo — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:38:20 +0000

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.... VIEW

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Anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, and Public Speaking with Dr. Matthew Chow

Kathleen Murdock — Fri, 24 May 2024 17:00:10 +0000

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s in-house clinical counsellor, engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Matthew Chow, Chief Mental Health Officer at TELUS Health, on anxiety, imposter syndrome, self-compassion, and more.

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Anxiety in Older Adults with Dr. Andrea Iaboni

Pargol Hamidi — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 16:00:04 +0000

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s in-house Registered Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Educator, interviews Dr. Andrea Iaboni, a geriatric psychiatrist and scientist at Toronto Rehab and University Health Network in Toronto. Dr. Iaboni shares her experiences and expertise in the field of geriatric psychiatry and recalls advocating for her father’s mental health as he navigated the health care system. She highlights the complexity of anxiety in older adults and the importance of psychoeducation and information dissemination in treating anxiety, as the right information can help people understand and cope with their symptoms.

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