What Do You Think Of Anxiety Support Groups

What Do You Think Of Anxiety Support Groups?

Complete Question

I’d like to connect with other anxiety sufferers as a form of ‘support group’ so that we can all help each other recover. Based on your experience, do you think that could be a good idea?

Answer

Sharing your experiences with others in a “support group” environment can be helpful as long as the group is led by an experienced anxiety disorder therapist who understands both levels of recovery (and not just Level One recovery) and the underlying factors that cause issues with anxiety.

Being a part of a group like this can be invaluable. Unfortunately, these types of groups are hard to find, as most support groups are led by less experienced people.

Groups led by less experienced people, while they can be helpful in some respects, could be unhelpful in others. Since anxiety disorder is predicated on fear and anxiousness, having a less experienced leader could cause more problems than it solves.

If you can find a support group led by an experienced anxiety disorder therapist, by all means participate. An important part of recovery can be having good supports as you work your way through the recovery process. But as I mentioned, these types of groups are hard to find.

Another approach is to, first, connect with an experienced anxiety disorder therapist, and then, find a “recovery buddy” (a person who is at the same place in his recovery and who is also working with an experienced anxiety therapist). This way, you can compare notes and support each other as you work toward making healthy change.

Having healthy support is important on the road to lasting recovery. Working with a therapist can provide help, support, and direction, and a “recovery buddy” can encourage and support you along the way.

Based on the above, I don’t recommend being a part of a support group that doesn’t have a qualified leader. I’ve seen too many negative experiences when sufferers try to help fellow sufferers.

On the other hand, there can be many benefits when the group is led by a qualified and experienced leader. These benefits can multiply if you also have the support of a “recovery buddy” who is also working with an experienced therapist.

There is a caution, however. There are many people who claim to be able to help with anxiety. The internet has become full of self-proclaimed “anxiety gurus.”

But few people have the depth of knowledge and professional training to provide help that lasts. It’s always best to work with people who truly understand anxiety at its deepest levels. Anything short of that could leave you disappointed in the long-term.

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If you’d like anxiety disorder recovery support, you might find it helpful to join our Recovery Support area. It contains thousands of pages of anxiety disorder recovery support material, including what “containment” is, how to contain, how to extinguish fears, how to overcome hyperstimulation, Level Two recovery concepts, and so much more.

Also, Recovery Support members can participate in our free SKYPE Live Call-In discussions. These discussions are held virtually via SKYPE online so that any member can participate no matter where they live in the world.

If you are looking for support as you work to overcome anxiety disorder, this group might be what you are looking for. It is lead by Jim Folk, president of anxietycentre.com.

To participate in our Live Skype group discussions, you need only become a member of our Recovery Support area and follow the brief instructions posted on the member’s home page. Nothing else is required.