Chemotherapy, Anxiety, Trauma, and Triumph with Tamara Taggart

Work anxiety can impact anyone, but can you imagine having an anxiety attack right before you need to go live on air?  

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, Tamara Taggart shares her story. As a successful broadcaster and speaker, she thrived in her professional life, with many around her noting that she was the busiest and most successful people they knew. But behind the scenes, she felt “odd,” and later realized that she’d been dealing with undiagnosed anxiety and depression for years. She coped by staying busy through work and volunteering so that she never had to “think about anything else.” From childhood chaos, to having a child diagnosed with Down Syndrome, to her own cancer diagnosis, Tamara was in survival mode for as long as she can remember. Tamara and host John Bateman discuss her journey to understand and work through her anxiety—a journey she is still on today. 

This episode explores how a support system can help you cope with anxiety and mood disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mood disorder, consider the Mood Disorders Association of BC's peer-led support groups. MDABC support groups are a safe place to share your story and find support. For more info, visit www.mdabc.net/resources/mdabc-support-groups. 

Additionally, if this episode resonates with you, check out ‘Visions: BC’s Mental Health and Substance Use Journal,’ an award-winning magazine that brings together many views on mental health and substance use. Visions features different aspects of wellness, personal experiences, and interesting discussions. The journal is written by and for people who have experienced mental health or substance use problems or used mental health or addictions services, along with service providers, family and friends, community advocates, and leaders/decision-makers.  

About the Guest:  

Tamara Taggart was a major broadcaster on national television for over 30 years. Now, she’s a writer, moderator, keynote speaker, and advocate for mental health and down syndrome. Tamara’s activism and advocacy, plus her natural curiosity and talent for interviewing, led her to her own podcast. She hosts ‘Telus Talks with Tamara Taggart,’ where she interviews different experts, thinkers, and leaders, and advocates for healthcare for people with disabilities and marginalized communities.

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#OurAnxietyStories is brought to you by Anxiety Canada™, a leader in developing free evidence-based resources, including the free anxiety-management app, MindShift CBT. To learn more about Anxiety Canada, visit www.AnxietyCanada.com. 

Anxiety Canada is proud to be affiliated with HeretoHelp, a project of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Substance Use Information. The BC Partners are funded by the Provincial Health Services Authority.