37 分鐘
Facing Fears and Conquering Cancer: The Story of Kelda Logan #OurAnxietyStories
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- 心理健康
Fear of the unknown, dwelling on the future, and thinking in “what-if” scenarios can be major anxiety triggers, especially for those facing big life changes.
In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Kelda Logan reflects on how anxiety has manifested throughout her life, including during childhood, becoming a parent, and her battle with breast cancer. Like many, Kelda didn’t know she had anxiety in her earlier years. She thought her experience with perfectionism, panic attacks, avoidance, and her fear of spiders, flying, and highways were normal. It wasn’t until Kelda became a mom and failed a postpartum depression screening test, despite not being “sad,” that she realized something else might be going on. Kelda emphasizes that for her, meditation and mindfulness are of great help, highlighting that she shared these tools with her students and other faculty members during her years as an educator. Looking at the silver lining, Kelda is proud to share that although she’s faced many trials and tribulations throughout her life, she’s now “more aware and more resilient.”
Anxiety Canada Scientific Advisory Committee member, Dr. Melanie Badali, shares the importance of learning to identify anxiety: “being aware of anxiety can help us understand and manage it. Naming anxiety can help us tame anxiety.” Though anxiety is normal, it’s important to watch out for warning signs that anxiety may be becoming a problem.
During Kelda’s journey, anxiety seemed to lurk in the background in her early years, but it wasn’t until she became a mother that she recognized the warning signs. Dr. Badali says this is normal, sharing that “anxiety can become amplified during periods of increased responsibility such as having a new baby.” According to Dr. Badali, “an important step in managing anxiety involves facing feared situations, places, or objects. It is normal to want to avoid the things you fear; however, avoidance prevents you from learning that the things you fear are not as dangerous as you think.” Dr. Badali adds that “workarounds” and avoidance quiet anxiety in the moment but fuel it in the long run. “Kelda is inspiring in that she faced her fears. She didn’t let anxiety continue to make her life smaller and smaller. She got back on the highway and is even able to fly.”
If you or someone you know is a new mom struggling with postpartum anxiety, you may find HeretoHelp BC’s article “New Moms Feeling Anxious” helpful. The article provides valuable information on managing and coping with postpartum anxiety, including tips on seeking support, finding time for self-care, and managing stress. Remember to take things one day at a time, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if needed.
About the Guest
Kelda Logan is a dedicated educator, loving mother, and cancer survivor. Despite facing a difficult breast cancer diagnosis, Kelda remained strong and determined to overcome the disease. Her anxiety issues predate the cancer diagnosis, but the experience of facing her mortality has brought a new level of anxiety that she has had to learn to manage. Despite these challenges, Kelda has remained positive and determined to live each day to the fullest, focusing on her family and work as an educator, as well as her own personal growth and well-being.
Fear of the unknown, dwelling on the future, and thinking in “what-if” scenarios can be major anxiety triggers, especially for those facing big life changes.
In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Kelda Logan reflects on how anxiety has manifested throughout her life, including during childhood, becoming a parent, and her battle with breast cancer. Like many, Kelda didn’t know she had anxiety in her earlier years. She thought her experience with perfectionism, panic attacks, avoidance, and her fear of spiders, flying, and highways were normal. It wasn’t until Kelda became a mom and failed a postpartum depression screening test, despite not being “sad,” that she realized something else might be going on. Kelda emphasizes that for her, meditation and mindfulness are of great help, highlighting that she shared these tools with her students and other faculty members during her years as an educator. Looking at the silver lining, Kelda is proud to share that although she’s faced many trials and tribulations throughout her life, she’s now “more aware and more resilient.”
Anxiety Canada Scientific Advisory Committee member, Dr. Melanie Badali, shares the importance of learning to identify anxiety: “being aware of anxiety can help us understand and manage it. Naming anxiety can help us tame anxiety.” Though anxiety is normal, it’s important to watch out for warning signs that anxiety may be becoming a problem.
During Kelda’s journey, anxiety seemed to lurk in the background in her early years, but it wasn’t until she became a mother that she recognized the warning signs. Dr. Badali says this is normal, sharing that “anxiety can become amplified during periods of increased responsibility such as having a new baby.” According to Dr. Badali, “an important step in managing anxiety involves facing feared situations, places, or objects. It is normal to want to avoid the things you fear; however, avoidance prevents you from learning that the things you fear are not as dangerous as you think.” Dr. Badali adds that “workarounds” and avoidance quiet anxiety in the moment but fuel it in the long run. “Kelda is inspiring in that she faced her fears. She didn’t let anxiety continue to make her life smaller and smaller. She got back on the highway and is even able to fly.”
If you or someone you know is a new mom struggling with postpartum anxiety, you may find HeretoHelp BC’s article “New Moms Feeling Anxious” helpful. The article provides valuable information on managing and coping with postpartum anxiety, including tips on seeking support, finding time for self-care, and managing stress. Remember to take things one day at a time, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if needed.
About the Guest
Kelda Logan is a dedicated educator, loving mother, and cancer survivor. Despite facing a difficult breast cancer diagnosis, Kelda remained strong and determined to overcome the disease. Her anxiety issues predate the cancer diagnosis, but the experience of facing her mortality has brought a new level of anxiety that she has had to learn to manage. Despite these challenges, Kelda has remained positive and determined to live each day to the fullest, focusing on her family and work as an educator, as well as her own personal growth and well-being.
37 分鐘