Youth | Anxiety Canada

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.

The post Sometimes You Have to Eat a Gummy Off a Toilet Seat – Justin Mackenzie appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

Building Distress Tolerance

Kathleen Murdock — Thu, 18 May 2023 18:51:54 +0000

The post Building Distress Tolerance appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

Musician Ayla Tesler-Mabé Doesn’t Fret Over Failure Anymore

Kathleen Murdock — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:54:26 +0000

Ayla Tesler-Mabé is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist living in Vancouver, BC. Showcasing her musical talents online has earned her millions of views on her YouTube and TikTok accounts. She is an accomplished guitarist who has performed (and collaborated with) artists like Willow Smith. From 2017-2019, she was a member of the band Calpurnia with Finn Wolfhard, performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live and starring in a Weezer music video with the group. You can listen to Ayla’s latest solo single, Give Me a Sign, on your favourite music streaming service. In addition to her latest solo release, she has new music in the works with her band Ludic, whose sound blends vintage and modern soul, funk, jazz, and pop.

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 fainted as a child, but it took fainting on a flight as a young adult—and waking up to “a good hundred people staring”— to investigate further.

The post Musician Ayla Tesler-Mabé Doesn’t Fret Over Failure Anymore appeared first on Anxiety Canada.

Group Therapy Really Works with Pegah Mollahajian & Dr. Taube-Schiff

Pargol Hamidi — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:06:31 +0000

Pegah Mollahajian is young adult who recently completed her master’s degree in public health at the University of Toronto. As an Iranian Canadian child, she experienced anxiety but didn’t have the resources to understand what it was or how to cope with it. After receiving help from Anxiety Canada’s MindShift Program, she applied her new understanding of anxiety and desire to advocate for mental health by joining the Anxiety Canada Youth Network for the 2021-22 season.

Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff, a registered psychologist for over 15 years, offers her expertise and shares insights with Pegah and John. Dr. Taube-Schiff’s clinical work is focused on the delivery of scientifically supported treatments for obsessive compulsive and related disorders, anxiety disorders, depression-related issues, and a wide range of emotional and behavioural problems.

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 therapy, exposure therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and more.

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Overcoming Anorexia and Anxiety with Chloë Grande

Pargol Hamidi — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:02:09 +0000

Chloë Grande is a communications specialist turned eating disorder recovery writer, speaker and activist. In ED recovery for 10+ years, she is open about her experiences with mental illness and educating others on the stereotypes and stigmas that exist. She’s a fan of yoga and reading, and draws inspiration from individuals who embrace their vulnerabilities. Her advocacy work has been featured in the media on CBC, CP24, Global News and more. You can learn more about Chloë by visiting her website, www.chloegrande.com, or following her on Instagram and Twitter: @Chloshegrows.

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, Chloë created a mental health blog in hopes of helping others with similar challenges feel understood and less alone.

The post Overcoming Anorexia and Anxiety with Chloë Grande appeared first on Anxiety Canada.