I am always glad when asked to prepare another message for an upcoming issue of "Strides" as it allows me to step back and reflect on the previous few months. It was an eventful summer with the release of our new Youth & Young adult website section
that was over a year in the making, and we have been able to track the increase in volume of visitors to the new section. We were also fortunate to be able to be involved in the development of an "APP" that will be complementary to the new materials for youth giving them a mobile "tool" to help them with their anxiety management plan. This will be completed and released sometime near the first quarter of 2013.
We had a late but great summer this year but the extended summer did end however and just like clockwork the office always gets very busy with the onset of fall and volume of the mental health activities and events that kick in after the return to school. The first indicator of back to school is the inevitable road traffic congestion that follows labour day, soon followed by the reduction in daylight and the return of the months of rain that sustain our Pacific coast rainforests.
I wanted to also make mention of Richard's story in this issue of Strides as it resonated with me having also experienced a lengthy battle with undiagnosed panic disorder and the 
agoraphobia that followed. When the panic attacks first become a problem it is an extremely terrifying time especially when the attacks start happening more frequently. Sometimes the trigger is a physical place or as subtle as a bodily sensation which can then attach itself to many more triggers until leaving home can be a momentous challenge.
This is a life altering moment for anyone having to deal with panic disorder accompanied with agoraphobia. Quality of life is immediately compromised and the ability to work, shop or socialize is instantly affected. The good news is that there are evidence based treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy that are highly effective with learning to manage panic disorder with or without agoraphobia and the AnxietyBC website is a good place to start. I would like to pass along some warm holiday greetings to all the subscribers from all of us at AnxietyBC.
Arto Tienaho
Executive Director
AnxietyBC had a successful outing at Langara College for their Health fair. We had many students and faculty ask for information about our organization and anxiety in general. A sign on our display booth table, "Do you ever get anxious before and during tests? We have something that can help, ask us....", drew in many students curious to know what will help.
The great thing was that not only could we tell them about the 
Test Anxiety Booklet on our web site, we could show it to them. The college was kind enough to supply us with a Wi-Fi connection. We had tablet and note book computers on hand which allowed us to show students and staff first hand the exciting new changes and additions we have made to our web site in recent months.
Getting out of the office and connecting with the public is informative. To talk with people who tell their stories, enquire about resources and to have information for them is refreshing. From the person who approaches directly - to the one who paces back and forth several times before getting the courage to ask questions - it feels good to provide support and information that may be helpful.
We would like to thank Langara Health Services and the Nursing Students for having us at their campus.
Be sure to visit Visions Journal on line at http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions for more stories and articles covering a wide range of mental health topics. A publication from one of AnxietyBC's partners in mental health.
G. P. Griffiths
Imagine that you are sitting watching television and ...
out of the blue your heart starts pounding, you are dizzy, you begin to sweat and it feels as if you are going to run out of air to breathe.
More»»