close icon

🎉 Limited-Time Offer! 🎉

Now until April 30, enjoy 3 months FREE on our $20 package!

0 days

0 hours

0 minutes

0 seconds

What’s included?

✔️ Unlimited virtual healthcare access

✔️ Free sick notes

✔️ Expert care, anytime, anywhere

⚠️ Offer does not include non-OHIP services.

⏳ Act now—this deal won’t last!

Claim Your Free Access Now
subscription

Conditions FAQs

brain lamp icon

Our doctors are only one click away. Connect through your tablet, phone, or computer to get the care you need, when you want it.

Anxiety treatment, diagnosis

Yes, you can talk to a doctor on Ogaei about your anxiety disorder. Our licensed healthcare professionals are experienced in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorders. They can provide a personalized treatment plan, which may include therapy recommendations, lifestyle changes, or prescribing medications like anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants if appropriate. If needed, the doctor can also refer you to a mental health specialist or counselor for additional support.

Anxiety is a normal emotion that helps us cope with stress. It's common to feel anxious occasionally. However, when anxiety becomes constant, overwhelming, or disrupts your daily life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders can make it hard to control excessive worry, leading to feelings of helplessness and exhaustion. There are various types of anxiety disorders, each triggered by different factors:
  • Panic Disorder: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks with symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, and trembling. It involves ongoing concern about future attacks and behavioral changes to avoid them.
  • Selective Mutism: Primarily a childhood disorder where a child consistently does not speak in certain situations but is comfortable speaking in others.
  • Phobias: Persistent, excessive fear of a specific object or situation, lasting over six months.
  • Anxiety Due to Another Medical Condition: Anxiety directly linked to another medical condition.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Fear or anxiety about social situations where one might be humiliated or scrutinized, lasting at least six months.
  • Agoraphobia: Fear and avoidance of places or situations that might cause panic or embarrassment.
  • Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder: Anxiety caused by drug use or withdrawal.
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder: Fear of being separated from a particular person or pet, common in children but also affecting teens and adults.
  • Unspecified Anxiety Disorder: Significant anxiety symptoms that don't fit a specific category.
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of daily life, often without a clear reason.

Anxiety disorders can present with both mental and physical symptoms, which may differ between adults and children.
Common symptoms in adults include:
  • Sweating
  • Trembling or twitching
  • Fatigue
  • Nervousness or restlessness
  • Increased heart rate or palpitations
  • Hyperventilation
  • Feeling dizzy or faint
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Sense of impending panic or doom
  • Avoiding triggers
  • Muscle aches
  • Difficulty controlling worry
  • Irritability
  • Overthinking
  • Indecisiveness
  • Perceiving threats where there are none
  • Difficulty focusing
Common symptoms in teens and children include:
  • Perfectionism
  • Worrying about performance
  • Seeking excessive approval
  • Needing constant reassurance
  • Crying before school
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Anxiety about fitting in
  • Avoiding social situations
  • Lack of confidence
  • Spending excessive time on tasks
  • Worrying about loved ones' safety
  • Excessive concern about uncontrollable events
  • Complaints of stomach aches or other discomfort

Anxiety disorders result from a complex mix of environmental and biological factors. The exact causes aren't always clear but can include:
  • Changes in brain chemistry or function
  • Personality or environmental changes
  • Traumatic events
  • Genetics
  • Stress buildup
Certain medical conditions can also cause anxiety symptoms, such as:
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic pain syndrome
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Drug use
  • Withdrawal from substances
  • Thyroid issues
  • Rare tumors producing specific hormones
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Heart disease

To diagnose anxiety disorders, healthcare professionals will discuss your personal and family medical history and evaluate your current symptoms. They might refer you to a mental health professional, such as a psychotherapist, for further assessment and treatment.
After a comprehensive physical and psychological evaluation, the healthcare provider can diagnose an anxiety disorder if necessary. They will suggest coping strategies, management techniques, and treatment options, which may include ongoing psychotherapy or prescribed medications.

Depression treatment, diagnosis

Yes, you can talk to a doctor on Ogaei about depression. Our licensed healthcare providers are trained to assess, diagnose, and support individuals experiencing depression, whether it's mild, moderate, or severe. If needed, they can also refer you to a mental health specialist or counselor for additional care and support.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that causes feelings of sadness, lethargy, and loss. It's a common condition, affecting about one in six people at some point in their lives. It can occur at any age, but it's most common between the late teens and mid-20s.
Depression affects how you think, feel, and behave, which can lead to various physical and emotional problems. This might include difficulties at work, withdrawing from loved ones, or even suicidal thoughts.
There are different types of depression, each with unique features that help healthcare providers identify the specific kind and its symptoms. These types include:
  • Peripartum Onset: Occurs during pregnancy.
  • Catatonia: Severely affects motor activity.
  • Atypical Features: Accompanied by delusions or hallucinations.
  • Anxious Distress
  • Melancholic Features
  • Psychotic Features
  • Seasonal Pattern
  • Mixed Features
Depression can also be a symptom of underlying conditions, such as:
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder
  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorders (I and II)
  • Cyclothymic Disorder
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Chronic Diseases (e.g., obesity, addiction)
  • Trauma
  • Abuse

Depression can manifest differently based on age and gender, significantly impacting daily life. It can be a challenging topic to discuss, but recognizing the signs is crucial for seeking help.
Common signs of depression include:
  • Anxiety
  • Restlessness
  • Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
  • Changes in appetite and weight (either loss or gain)
  • Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
  • Irritability and bursts of anger
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Fixation on past failures
  • Self-blame
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  • Unexplained physical problems (headaches, aches, and pains)
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Absenteeism from work or school
  • Feeling misunderstood
  • Self-harm
  • Avoiding social interaction
  • Withdrawing from loved ones
  • Reluctance to leave the house
  • Canceling previously exciting plans

Depression can result from various factors, though the exact cause isn't always clear. Common potential causes include:
  • Hormonal changes
  • Brain chemistry
  • Family history of depression
  • Biological differences
  • Medical conditions
  • Chronic pain
  • Drug use
  • Trauma
  • Abuse
  • Personal history of mental illness
  • Low self-esteem
  • Prolonged or severe stress
  • Chronic or severe illness
  • Being part of a social minority (LGBTQ, having a disability, racial minorities)
  • Environmental factors (poverty, neglect, abuse, violence)

Depression can vary in severity, and treatment options differ accordingly.
  • Mild Depression: Symptoms occur a few days a week and may come and go over several years. These symptoms are bothersome but don't significantly impact daily life. Mild depression can often go undiagnosed because its symptoms mimic other illnesses.
  • Moderate Depression: Symptoms start to interfere with home, work, or social responsibilities. Common treatments include medication and therapy. It's important to consult a psychiatrist or family doctor to find the right medication and avoid self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, which can worsen the condition.
  • Severe or Major Depression: Symptoms are debilitating, affecting all aspects of life. People with severe depression may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide. If you or someone you know feels this way, seek emergency help immediately by contacting a suicide hotline or emergency services.

OCD treatment and diagnosis

Yes, a doctor on Ogaei can help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Our licensed healthcare providers can assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend a personalized treatment plan to help you manage OCD effectively. They may recommend treatment options, including therapy, lifestyle modifications, or prescribe medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are commonly used to manage OCD. If needed, they can refer you to a mental health specialist for ongoing care.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of mental illness where individuals experience obsessive thoughts or urges and feel compelled to perform repetitive behaviors. Some people may experience both obsessions and compulsions.
Common themes in obsessions include:
  • A need for symmetry or orderliness
  • Difficulty tolerating uncertainty or severe doubting
  • Fear of dirt or contamination
  • Unwanted thoughts involving sexual or religious subjects
  • Aggressive thoughts about losing control and harming themselves or others
Common themes in compulsions include:
  • Counting while performing an action
  • Excessive washing and cleaning
  • Following a strict routine, with severe anxiety if deviated from
  • Fixation on maintaining order
  • Repeatedly checking things
  • Regularly seeking reassurance

OCD symptoms vary depending on whether the person experiences obsessive or compulsive symptoms, or both.
Common obsessive symptoms include:
  • Intense anxiety or stress when things are not orderly
  • Unpleasant or aggressive sexual images
  • Doubts about whether you've performed an action (e.g., locking a door)
  • Fear of contamination from touching objects
  • Thoughts of harming others
  • Fantasizing about acting inappropriately in public
Common compulsive symptoms include:
  • Arranging objects in a very specific way
  • Repeatedly checking to ensure things are off or closed
  • Hand-washing to the point of skin damage
  • Counting in specific patterns, sometimes uncontrollably
  • Repeating words or phrases either out loud or in your head

The exact causes of OCD aren't fully understood, but several theories exist:
  • Biological: Changes in the body's natural chemistry might trigger OCD.
  • Genetics: Symptoms could be linked to specific genes and may be hereditary.
  • Learning: OCD may develop from learned behaviors over time.
  • While these factors might increase the risk of developing OCD, no specific physical cause has been conclusively identified.

To diagnose OCD, your doctor will likely perform a psychological evaluation to assess your state of mind, daily behavior patterns, and symptoms.
Additionally, you may be given an OCD test based on the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This helps the doctor make a clear diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

PTSD treatment and diagnosis

Yes, you can talk to a doctor on Ogaei about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our licensed healthcare providers are trained to help individuals experiencing PTSD by offering support, diagnosis, and treatment options tailored to your needs. They may recommend treatments such as therapy, lifestyle modifications, or, if appropriate, prescribe medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. If necessary, they can also refer you to a mental health specialist for specialized care.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental illness triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Without seeking help, individuals with PTSD may struggle to cope with everyday life, leading to several long-term negative effects.
These long-term effects can manifest in various ways, including feelings of depression and anger. Visible symptoms might include uncontrollable outbursts, while invisible symptoms could involve recurrent memories, flashbacks, or nightmares.

PTSD symptoms can appear as soon as a few weeks after the traumatic event, or they might take years to surface. The severity of the symptoms varies based on the traumatic event and the individual's coping abilities.
Common symptoms include:
  • Intrusive memories: Nightmares, flashbacks, recurrent distressing memories, and severe emotional distress triggered by reminders of the trauma.
  • Avoidance:Avoiding people, places, or situations that could trigger a PTSD episode.
  • Negative Mood and Thought Changes: Loss of interest in hobbies, feelings of hopelessness, detachment from loved ones, memory loss related to the trauma, difficulty feeling positive emotions, negative thoughts about oneself or others, difficulty maintaining relationships, and emotional numbness.
  • Physical and Emotional Reactions: Being easily startled, insomnia due to nightmares, paranoia about triggers, overwhelming feelings of shame or guilt, self-destructive behavior, difficulty concentrating, and angry outbursts or irritability.

PTSD is most commonly caused by experiencing or witnessing stressful and traumatic events, particularly those that are life-threatening or involve loss of life. Other factors that can contribute to PTSD include:
  • Inherited Personality Traits: Mental health risks and personal temperament can affect one's ability to cope with stress.
  • Childhood Trauma: Early traumatic experiences can lead to PTSD later in life, especially if these memories have been suppressed.
  • Physical and Emotional Abuse: Trauma from abusive relationships, where one partner is verbally, emotionally, or physically abusive, can also lead to PTSD.

While anxiety is a common symptom of PTSD, not everyone with anxiety has PTSD. Patients with anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder (GAD), may not have experienced a traumatic event necessary for a PTSD diagnosis.
Therefore, although anxiety frequently affects individuals with PTSD, those with anxiety not stemming from traumatic experiences do not necessarily have PTSD.

Panic attack & disorder treatment and diagnosis

Yes, you can talk to a doctor on Ogaei about your panic attacks. Our licensed healthcare providers can help you understand and manage your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend effective treatment options tailored to your needs. Based on your situation, they may suggest therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, lifestyle adjustments, or prescribe medications such as anti-anxiety medications or beta-blockers to help prevent or reduce the severity of panic attacks.

A panic attack is a sudden surge of intense fear or anxiety that can cause severe physical reactions triggered by the mental state. These attacks can be extremely frightening, leading some people to believe they are having a heart attack or are dying.

Most people will experience at least one panic attack in their lifetime, which is normal and can vary in severity based on mental state or situational stress. Panic disorder occurs when a person has unexpected or recurrent panic attacks or lives in constant fear of having more. The symptoms of panic disorder are typically the same as those experienced during panic attacks.

Panic attacks can vary in severity and affect different people in different ways. Common symptoms include:
  • Chills or sweating
  • Headache
  • Sudden onset nausea
  • Sense of impending danger or doom
  • Chest pain
  • Rapid or pounding heartbeat
  • Fear of death or losing control
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tremors
  • Hot flashes
  • Feeling detached from reality

Since panic disorder involves chronic or recurrent panic attacks, the symptoms are often the same as those of panic attacks. In addition to these symptoms, people with panic disorder may experience a lingering sense of dread or fear, constantly worrying about future attacks. If left untreated, this can significantly impact their quality of life.

The exact causes of panic attacks are still unclear, but several factors are believed to contribute to the risk, including:
  • High-stress situations
  • Chronic stress
  • Genetics
  • A temperament prone to negative reactions or emotions
  • Changes in brain function
Understanding these factors can help in managing and reducing the occurrence of panic attacks.