Anxiety Support Group

I used to be really shy. I was always the girl in the corner, reading a book twice the size of my face, until I came to terms with my anxiety and began to accept myself. My advice, as I often say, is to put yourself out there in the big wide world and find activities that interest you! Say you try a sport. You can start a conversation about related topics. Ask your teammate where she got those awesome running shoes! The possibilites are endless...you can also join a club or volunteer! I am a member of my school's chior and we all bonded on a trip to Canada! When you are in the company of people who you share interests with, it can be easier to approach someone. Just be yourself, be nice, and smile!!!! This way, the rewards are twofold. Not only will you meet others, but doing something you enjoy is a great stress-reliever! I am always, always here when you need to talk. Best of luck and message me anytime! :)

Have you looked into meetup.com? it's a web site that hosts social groups where you can go out and meet like-minded individuals for activities.

I am party of a 20s-30s group where we occasionally get together for lunch/dinner, to a concert, to go hiking. It seems intimidating at first to go out with a bunch of people you don't know but think of it this way...they are doing the same thing you are...trying to make new friends. There is even an anxiety meetup group in my area that I have gone to and met other people who have anxiety disorders for conversation over food and drinks.

If you have active meetup groups in your area it's worth a shot.

((((HUGS))))

Hi Im the same way, but now I go to Church on a regular basis and it helps. I am meeting new people and they seem to like me. Still have anxiety issues, just trying to deal with things through prayer and reading the Bible. Also talking to a friend or two that know my issues.

No you are not the only person and no you are not a bad person, there is nothing wrong with you that you cant have friends. I have the same problem and i keep being told to join clubs! Find activities I like to do! Get myself out there! Talk to people on the street/bus (I do that just fine) the rest I have a hard time with. I go back and forth from wanting and needing solitude to wanting/needing friends. I dont want a whole bunch of friends just a few will do.

I would say to maybe meet people on the bus? the park? farmers fruit/veggie market? Music fests/concerts-Places where people are and conversation is easier, you can talk about the commonalities (My therapist always says that) or go to a club YOU WILL join or like-I love books but book clubs are hard because I don't like to read some of the books they assign!
I think I could follow what I wrote here too. I would not mind a friend or two just not ready or able to be a social butterfly and being shy and having anxiety makes me want to shrink or go hide or go chill by myself-maybe just pretend you are not so shy and fake it until it comes natural or practice conversation in the mirror to yourself?
And dont be so hard on yourself!
= )

If you could find someone like you it would be nice! Maybe there are anxiety support groups or clubhouses or orgs that you could join?

I hear you.I have been living in this new city far away from home for now 2 1/2 years .I have not one friend.It's kicking in hard now I can't believe I have gone this long without human contact other than my boyfriend.Well one problem big problem is I'm working all by myself in home health.I transferred to a job here from home and worked with others then but this place was full of awful people.It wasn't a very good first impression of a new city.So after over a year I finally quit.Not one person where I came from would have lasted one week.So now here I am feeling more anxious than ever in life.To me meetups are extremely uncomfortable.My boyfriend won't go he has friends and thinks you would have to be a loser to go to that.So that ruined that for me.

I have found the majority of people who do meetups are not "losers" lol. They are mostly people who moved to a new city and do not know anyone. They are looking to make social connections in their new location. There are those too who use it as a professional networking tool (especially in a big city like mine).

Interesting story, I went to a bar party once through meetup, there was one woman who showed up...she was visiting the city by herself for a few days and didn't want to do touristy stuff the whole time so she looked up meetup groups, found our event and came by to hang out. I thought that was pretty awesome of her!

Yes, it can be awkward the first few times, but it gets easier the more you do it. I have managed to make a few friends through meetup and we now get together at least once a month outside of the meetup web site.

I understand it's not for everyone but I think some people have a misconception of what it is about. You can even join sports leagues through meetup in certain areas so you get regular social contact AND physical activity :)

Regular volunteering is also a good way to get out and be helpful to others.

Yea the one I went to seemed far from losers,lol.My boyfriend could never do something like that though.I have signed up for some rowing,hiking and such cause I like outdoors and physical activity haven't been to one though because the schedule hasn't worked for me.I don't think that's what her problem is though.She's not talking about not being able to meet people just not being able to make friends.Well I'm sure it's not that you are a bad person it is just shyness.Well I guess people on here think if you join something you are interested in it will help bring you out of your shell and you will talk more and be more open.Are there any anxiety support groups around you maybe that will help.

I think the key here is exposure. There is nothing wrong with you, nonotme5555 it's just that you are simply shy or experience social anxiety. Sometimes people can pick up on those types vibes. However, the more you place yourself around others, then hopefully the more comfortable/easier it gets to build connections because you are learning from others how to communicate and build relationships, even if you are just watching them and not fully participating.

And you don't have to throw yourself in the deep-end right away. It's okay to start small. Friends aren't created overnight. Good acquaintances can be though and eventually develop into good friendships.

Exposure is very key in beating anxiety in general.

thank you to each and everyone one of you who replied and want to help!

i have never been a church goer but trying to make friends and find my faith i reached out to a few different local church and even met with someone at 3 different churches. first guy basically said i was amazing and and was doing back flips that i met him. he told me to read the bible and come to a service which i did. i emailed him asking for a follow up meeting and he kept promising to meet back up with me but never did and eventually stopped emailing me all together. i think he gave up on me when i started asking questions about the bible like why are the stories of ressurection different in different books of the bible. the 2 others at different churches basically said hello thanks but made me feel like an outsider and they really didnt seem to really care if i joined their church or not. i felt like such a loser so i stopped trying to find a church all together :(

i feel like even a cult wouldn't want me. anyway i just keep going on one day at a time. im okay i just wish i had real friends