My office is located in Ottawa, next to the University of Ottawa, and on March 20, 2019, while in session, I heard police zooming down the street. My first thought was how the police sirens were potentially interrupting my client’s thoughts, as they certainly were interrupting mine. Once home, I discovered that the police were chasing a hijacked transportation vehicle from the University’s campus. The hijacker was driving erratically around the area, causing damage to vehicles. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the person was apprehended. There has been no indication to date that this person had any intention other than behaving irrationally; however, the correlation between this act and reported terrorist hijackings where people were struck and killed by vehicles can fuel the belief that all hijackings have a terrorist intent. In times like these, it’s natural to feel heightened anxiety, and seeking anxiety therapy in Ottawa can help you manage these fears and regain a sense of security.
After seeing that the University of Ottawa offered mental health services for whomever was impacted, a few of my clients came to mind. I have quite a few university students, and some have mentioned their fear of a terrorist attack happening, especially in crowded places. My mind even went to the hijacker driving the vehicle on roads I used to go home. Is it normal to think about “what if an attack happens”? Yes, it is. Is it normal to worry about it briefly? Yes, it is. But to become anxious about it every time you step outside your home or when you want to go to a concert or take a plane, then it is not realistic – even more so when that anxiety prevents you from doing those things. Why? The odds of a terrorist attack happening are much less than what we think.
Linked here is an article written by Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., in Psychology Today. It breaks down realistic thinking versus worrying about what has been presented to us through conversation, media, and our own ways of thinking things through when it comes to terrorism.
Feeling anxious about the world around you? Our anxiety therapy in Ottawa helps you regain control and find peace, no matter what’s happening. Get the support you need—schedule your session today.
