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Start Treating Your Anxiety Today

Is anxiety impacting your enjoyment of life? You are not alone. Millions of Canadians suffer from anxiety disorders, which in some cases can control their lives. Anxiety is a normal part of life, but those with anxiety disorders experience constant and intense worry and tension, often with little to no cause. If left untreated, Anxiety can limit what you do, where you go, who you see, and much more.

While Anxiety is difficult to live with, it is also highly treatable. At Waystone Psychology we will take a deep look at your symptoms, feelings, and potential sources of anxiety. Afterwards we will develop a strategy to manage and overcome your anxiety, letting you live your life on your terms.

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Waystone’s Straightforward but Powerful Process of Growth

Our experience enables us to offer clients a straightforward process to recovery. Having said that, you can rest assured that we do not use a cookie-cutter approach but rather treat each client with the individualized care and attention that you deserve.

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Book an Appointment
With Us

Now that you’ve gotten to know us,
why not schedule an appointment
to get the journey started?

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Start the Assessment
Process

We begin with an assessment by discussing and exploring your anxiety including symptoms and possible causes.

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Identify Areas for Improvement

After the assessment, we will begin
working on areas for improvement & coping strategies.

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Improve Functioning and Quality of Life

We’ll do a deep dive together,
isolating specific challenges and
finding effective solutions.

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Waystone: Caring Psychologists With a Unique Vision for Success

Emotional concerns can have a substantial impact on our daily functioning, even beyond their moment-to-moment impact. Emotional difficulties can also affect our concentration, self-respect, and enthusiasm for previously pleasurable activities. The concerns can also spread to other areas of one’s relationships, professional life, and health.

At Waystone Psychology, our role as psychologists is to work together with the client to develop coping strategies and provide support. We help our clients develop new ways of adapting to life’s challenges in order to promote healthy functioning.

Getting You the Right Help with Waystone

Our brain causes us to respond to danger with logical, emotional, and instinctive responses. As a result, threats to our safety are not the only ones that might cause strong anxiety and panic. It is natural and understandable for us to want to get away from these anxiety-producing feelings as soon as possible because we are human beings who don’t want to suffer.

We often attempt to flee in ways that are ineffective or even worsen the situation. Suppression or denial of unpleasant emotions, distraction and lack of attention, obsession with other activities like work or exercise, television or video games, or problematic use of drugs, alcohol, gambling, or sex are some of the ineffective ways we try to get away from the unpleasant feelings of anxiety.

Reaching out to our psychotherapists at Waystone can be the stepping stones to change and an increased sense of optimism and hopefulness. With the right care, anxiety can be less severe and last less time, opening up space for more positive and fulfilling experiences and emotions. With anxiety, even a small step forward can often be quite beneficial because it can open the door to a new and improved way of living. Contact us today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can one suffer from both anxiety and depression, or are they mutually exclusive?

Anxiety and depression have a lot of overlap. It is not at all uncommon for someone with depression issues to also deal with anxiety. Indeed, they are often two sides of the same coin, coexisting and manifesting themselves simultaneously or alternating. Whereas depression is more of a shutdown reaction to negative feelings and emotions, anxiety is a constant worry about what kind of bad things might happen. Both are part of the stress response system and can most certainly exist side by side, appearing as a debilitating emotional condition. The good news is that anxiety and depression do not need to be treated separately. At Waystone we often treat people who are experiencing issues of both depression and anxiety.

What are the most common anxiety disorders?

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is an anxiety disorder which is marked by constant and excessive worry about a number of things. Those who suffer GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety, negatively impacting their lives.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder which is characterized by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted and often disturbing thoughts that intrude into a person’s mind causing anxiety, whereas compulsions are repeated behaviors or mental acts.
  • Panic Disorder
    Panic Disorder is characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, constant concern about having a panic attack, and significant changes in lifestyle and behaviour related to the panic attacks.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is anxiety disorder caused by a terrifying event. People can suffer from PTSD after either experiencing or witnessing said event. PTSD is marked by nightmares, severe anxiety, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts about the event.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder
    Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a condition where an individual experiences fear and anxiety in social situations. This anxiety causes significant distress and impairs the ability to participate in some or many aspects of daily life.

All of the anxiety disorders listed above, and more, can be treated by Waystone Psychology. If you are suffering from one of these anxiety disorders contact us today to see how we can help.

Do Anxiety Disorders really need treatment from a therapist or psychologist?

While occasional anxiety related to our jobs, life, or family is normal, persistent and continuous anxiety is not and requires treatment. Most Canadians with anxiety reported seeking treatment, while 23% of Canadians reported they did not. If you are among these 23%, know that treatment can dramatically improve outcomes. If you are unsure whether or not you have an anxiety disorder, reach out to us and we can provide an assessment to get you the answers you need. Waystone Psychology is here to help you on the road to recovery.

What are signs and symptoms of anxiety?

There are a few common signs and symptoms that one may be suffering from anxiety. These typically include but are not limited to:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Shakiness or trembling
  • Stomach pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling tired
  • Sweating
  • Breathing rapidly
  • Increased heart rate
  • Difficulty sleeping

There are also several psychological symptoms related to anxiety including; a feeling of impending danger or doom, difficulty concentrating on tasks and avoidance.

Unsure whether or not you are suffering from anxiety? Contact Waystone Psychology to register for a full consultation today.

How can you treat anxiety?

There are multiple different ways to treat anxiety. Some common forms of treating anxiety include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT
  • Psychotherapy
  • Anxiety-Management Techniques
  • Changes in Exercise and Diet
  • Journalling
  • Support Groups
  • Medications (Antidepressants, Beta Blockers or Anti-Anxiety Medications)

To learn more about how to treat anxiety, the anxiety diagnosis process and our anxiety treatment techniques contact Waystone Psychology in Ottawa today!

What is the best way to treat children with anxiety disorders?

Medication or therapy are two possible treatment options for anxiety disorders; both have been discovered to be effective. The use of both medication and treatment can also be effective. Your needs and preferences will play a role in the treatment selection. Consult a specialist who is knowledgeable about your diagnosis and general health about your options.

It’s important to talk with your therapist about which treatment is ideal for your child and family’s lifestyle because one child with the same diagnosis may respond better, or sooner, to a specific treatment than another child with the same diagnosis.

To determine the best course of treatment for you, speak with our therapists at Waystone Psychology to receive an accurate diagnosis and to learn about the range of available treatments, their duration, potential side effects, time commitment, and other health concerns.

To learn more about anxiety therapy, the anxiety diagnosis process and our anxiety treatment techniques contact Waystone Psychology in Ottawa today!

How are anxiety disorders diagnosed?

When symptoms persist for a significant amount of time and seriously impair a person’s ability to function at home, work, or school, health practitioners such as primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists may classify that person as having an anxiety disorder.

Additionally, psychological assessments are done to rule out any potential reasons for the anxiety symptoms. Symptoms resembling those of an anxiety disorder may be brought on by cardiovascular illness, thyroid issues, menopause, substance addiction, and/or adverse pharmacological effects, such as those from steroids.

To learn more about how to treat anxiety, the anxiety diagnosis process and our anxiety treatment techniques contact Waystone Psychology in Ottawa today!

Will I ever feel “normal” again?

Over time, knowledge about anxiety disorders has improved. Treatments for anxiety have thus improved as well. Many people who receive treatment lead happy, fulfilling lives without feeling constrained by their anxiety.

Working with us at Waystone can help you discover the best treatment.

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