A lot has changed in the last few years, given the impact that the pandemic had across the globe. The latest research on anxiety in Canada suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of Canadians. A nationally representative online survey found that the pandemic has led to increased levels of anxiety and depression among Canadians[1], which for most of us, comes as no surprise. We have all experienced or seen in our friends and family members changes in mental health which include spikes in both anxiety and depression symptoms. A new national survey revealed that the second wave of the pandemic intensified feelings of stress and anxiety, causing alarming levels of despair, suicidal thoughts, and hopelessness in the Canadian population[2]. Anxiety disorders are among the most common types of mental illnesses in Canada and throughout the world, characterized by excessive and persistent feelings of apprehension, worry, and fear[3]. However, there is some good news, as a University of Toronto study found that recovery from generalized anxiety disorder is possible, even in large representative samples[4]. EMDR is one modality of treatment that has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders(5).
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