How Anxiety Therapy in Ottawa Can Help After Disturbing Events
It’s normal to feel anxious during unpredictable events—but when fear becomes constant, professional support may be needed. Anxiety therapy in Ottawa offers a structured path to help you manage uncertainty and feel more in control, especially after traumatic public events.
My office is located in Ottawa, next to the University of Ottawa. 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.
After seeing that the University of Ottawa offered mental health services for those impacted, a few of my clients came to mind. I work with quite a few university students, and some have mentioned their fear of a terrorist attack—especially in crowded places.
My mind even went to the hijacker driving the vehicle on the same roads I use 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, again.
But if that worry turns into anxiety every time you step outside your home, go to a concert, or plan to take a flight—then it starts to become unrealistic. Especially if that anxiety prevents you from doing those things altogether.
Why? Because the odds of a terrorist attack happening are much lower than we tend to believe.
Read this article from Psychology Today to explore how our thoughts and media exposure shape our anxiety about terrorism.
Feeling anxious about the world around you? Our expert counsellors offer compassionate guidance and tools to help you feel safe again. Schedule a session today and take the first step toward reclaiming your calm with anxiety therapy in Ottawa.
