Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Anxiety Disorders
/ Anxiety Support Group

Overwhelmed

eshaw
eshaw
This is my first attempt at trying a support group online. I have attempted support groups in person but I get kicked out because I am too terrified to speak. I shut down around people, my mind goes blank and all I feel is fear and a need to disappear. I want to try to connect with people again because I haven't had a relationship besides my daughter and mom in over 5 years. I recently went back to school and am doing an internship at a rehab center. I love the clients I work with but am having a very difficult time listening because my anxiety is so severe being around people again. I want to do well and be able to get a job but I'm constantly checked out and unable to do my job. I'm afraid I just don't have what it takes to function in society/life and feel like locking myself up in a padded room until I die. I just feel so uncomfortable around people. I want to be alone and invisible. Can anyone relate?
spacepony
spacepony
I relate. I experience pretty strong social anxiety and have become agoraphobic. The less I get out, the more I don't want to go out. I think it's good that you're pushing against it and stretching yourself. Can you find a cbt therapist or erp or act? I need to do this myself. I'm too comfortable with my son and husband and one and only close friend :/ IMO, groups that have kicked you out may not have been the right groups for you. I think that's hurtful behavior on the group's part. I'm sorry it's difficult going right now, but I think you're going in the right direction. Good going!
Edger
Edger
I also understand what your ging through. Felt just like you for years.
I have GAD, OCD, and Social anxiety disorder. A therapist helped me with the social anxiety. She forced me into group therapy. I went many times before i said anything in group. And then I was mostly always silent. It takes time and a lot of difficult work on your part but there is hope. I'm still pretty uncomfortable around more than one person at a time but I don't want to disappear any more. Zanax pills also helped me.

Barbara
alyse44
alyse44
I can totally relate, and this is my first time on here as well. I am having such severe anxiety at the moment, about having to return to work on Mon, after being off for a yr and a half, that I feel like I'm going nuts, but not returning is not an option either, due to money problems. I admire that you are trying so hard to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Going to work when you feel this way is hard, and you're doing it. Congratulate yourself on every small victory, I believe we have to be our own best cheerleaders, which is a hard thing to learn, when we are so used to beating ourselves up. I am trying to learn this skill myself. I wish you all the best, keep fighting.
limeybean
limeybean
They can't be a good support group if they throw you out for not speaking. They are supposed to be there to help. I have the same issue, I don't deal well with groups I get very anxious and have resorted to online. But there are times when it is good to talk instead of write. Do you have a therapist you can do a one on one session? That is how I am dealing with mine.