How to know if you suffer from anxiety

Stress is common, and the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios or experience anxiety is increasingly common. However, when anxiety becomes pervasive, generates distress and negatively affects quality of life, it’s important to take steps to remedy it. But how do you know if what you’re feeling is “normal” anxiety, or if it’s an anxiety disorder that needs special attention? Anxiety can be felt both physically and emotionally, and has an impact on behavior. Here are some signs and symptoms to look out for.

Physical symptoms

  1. Heart palpitations: A heartbeat that accelerates for no apparent reason.
  2. Excessive sweating: Sweating profusely even under normal conditions, without physical exertion and without being in a very hot environment.
  3. Trembling: Hands or legs shaking for no reason.
  4. Muscle pain: tension or pain in the muscles, often in the back or neck.
  5. Digestive disorders: nausea, diarrhea or constipation with no obvious medical cause.

Emotional symptoms

  1. Sense of dread: A constant feeling that something bad is going to happen.
  2. Irritability: Feeling easily irritated or frustrated.
  3. Excessive worry: worrying disproportionately about things that don’t necessarily warrant it.

Behavioral symptoms

  1. Avoidance: Avoid situations or people that trigger anxiety.
  2. Procrastination: Constantly putting off tasks or decisions.
  3. Reassurance-seeking: Frequently ask others for their opinion to reassure yourself.

When should you consult a professional?

If you find that several of these symptoms are affecting you significantly and have been persisting for some time, it’s advisable to see your doctor to make sure there isn’t an underlying physical health problem, and to consult a psychologist if necessary.

Treatment options

There are several treatment options for anxiety disorders, including psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy – add link to site), medication (such as antidepressants or anxiolytics), and complementary approaches (such as mindfulness meditation).

Consult a psychologist

Anxiety is complex and can have a major impact on our physical and emotional well-being. If you recognize yourself in many of the symptoms listed above, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Solutions exist to improve your quality of life. Contact us, we can help.

  • 3131 de la Concorde Blvd. East, Suite 309, Laval, Qc H7E 4WT
Sabrina Tabet - Psychologue

Sabrina Tabet

Psychologist
permit no : 14701-22

She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Université de Montréal with a specialization in neuropsychology and has been a member of the Ordre des psychologues du Québec since September 2022.

She joined the Laval Anxiety Clinic in 2025 to offer psychotherapy services, and she also works as a neuropsychologist at the Penser Grandir Clinic since 2023. She has expertise in neurodevelopmental (e.g., attention deficit disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities) and cognitive disorders.

Throughout her professional journey, she completed internships and worked in the public healthcare system in psychiatric services, which allowed her to become familiar with a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety disorders.

Sabrina will begin seeing adult clients as of the end of April 2025.

  • Clientele: 18 and over
  • Service: individual psychotherapy
Megan Turgeon - Psychologie Anxiété Laval

Megan Turgeon

Ph.D. candidate in Psychology

She is currently a doctoral candidate in psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and is on her way to completing her academic journey.

She has completed internships in various environments which have allowed her to work with children, teenagers, and adults. In her career, she works with individuals with a variety of issues, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and personal and relational difficulties.

Through her thesis subject, she is also developing expertise related to issues of infertility, assisted reproduction, and the transition to parenthood. In her practice, she is committed to providing a safe, client-centered space to welcome their difficulties and suffering.

She uses the cognitive-behavioral approach as well as therapeutic techniques from different psychological approaches that allow her to adapt to the specific needs of each person she meets.

  • Clientele: Ages 14 and up
  • Service: individual psychotherapy
Joelle - Clinique Anxiété Laval

Joëlle Khalil

JOËLLE KHALIL, B.Sc., is a doctoral candidate in the professional psychology program (Psy.D.) at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM). She is registered on the list of doctoral candidates in psychology with the Ordre des psychologues du Québec and is supervised by psychologist and clinic co-director, Myra Gravel Crevier.

She completed a practicum at UQÀM’s Psychological Services Center, where she assessed and treated individuals dealing with various issues such as anxiety and depressive symptoms, adjustment difficulties, and relational or emotional problems. Elle a complété son premier internat à la clinique des troubles anxieux et de l’humeur du programme des services spécifiques de l’Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CIUSS de l’Est-IUSMM). Her first internship was at the Anxiety and Mood Disorders Clinic within the Specialized Services Program at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CIUSSS de l’Est-IUSMM). Most of her second internship took place at the Outpatient General Psychiatry Clinic at the René-Laennec Mental Health Outpatient Services Center (affiliated with Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital, CISSS Laval). She is currently completing the final hours of this internship at the Laval Anxiety Clinic under the supervision of Myra Gravel Crevier.

Throughout her internships, she gained experience in the assessment and treatment of clients with moderate to severe symptoms, often presenting with personality-related challenges. She also co-led psychotherapy groups in behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and ACT for depression. Additionally, she followed patients in multidisciplinary care settings

and took part in various clinical trainings and consultations. Joëlle is finalizing her doctoral thesis on the psychological adjustment of mothers of young children with autism spectrum disorder, in collaboration with the Developmental Centre at CHU Sainte-Justine.

She has taken part in numerous scientific conferences during her university career. Joëlle was a part of the Laval Anxiety Clinic team from June 2017 to May 2021 and will return at the end of April 2025, after two parental leaves.

  • Clientele: 18 and over
  • Service: individual psychotherapy
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