Steadying support, Blue. No doubt about it, anxiety sucks, both literally and figuratively. When my anxiety kicks in, I can turn the simplest of tasks into the most counterproductive of worry-thons. I can start worrying about what I might have forgotten to worry about.

Sigh. . . Well just it all! ! !

Going to workshops and group meetings is usually far more productive. Hope it works out so for you, as well. Steadying support while you find your focus.

I’ve just taken the first step in reaching out online to this support group in terms of my anxiety and I didn't even know they had real life support groups for that (excuse my ignorance) but if anything I’m actually really impressed with the fact that you’re able to force yourself to go, even through the anxiety. The fact that you’ve even gone at all is honestly more than I’ve ever done or feel like I could do, so I hope you will be a little easier on yourself today. Even if you’re having a shitty day, in my eyes you are a superhero and incredibly strong for being able to face in an person group. I don't know if I’m there yet. You’re stronger than you realize or give yourself credit for, trust me when I say that. I hope your day begins to turn around. And even if it doesn’t at least it’s almost done with. Tomorrow always has the potential to be an amazing day. We can’t control what goes on in life but we can try to control how we react and I feel like that’s really rich coming from me, someone who tends to crumble under the suffocation of anxiety, but I know it’s the truth so I’ll say it anyway.

How was the workshop group?

I was in an anxiety group for 20 weeks, once a week. Was interesting experience.

Hi- I’m glad you were able to attend the anxiety workshop group. I hope it will work for you.

Sorry to hear about your struggles. Praying for you for emotional healing and things will go well with you. Take care.

Oh I'm interested. What is an anxiety workshop? How does that work? Where did you find it? Did it work out for you?

Mine was an anxiety group and not a workshop group. It was put together by my therapist, who found that she was working with several people with anxiety and thought it might be helpful if we met once a week, with her too, and all talked about our anxiety for 1-2 hours a week.

In my experience, it was only so-so. Everyone is on a different level of anxiety, so we all couldn't exactly relate to each other's difficulties. For example, some people have a minor anxiety, some people have severe anxiety. And those two would not relate to each other much.

It was an interesting experience, but I don't talk to any of the people from the group anymore (even though it was encouraged that we stay in touch) and that was 4 years ago.

Hey everyone,

Sorry for like the 2 week late reply... I kind of had a lot on my plate that day and currently (it's close to the end of the semester... so I'm a tad bit more stressed than usual. So this support group kind of wasn't one? It was more of a workshop now that I got it explained a little better. It ended up being only a 2 week workshop where they kind of taught us some coping mechanisms to try to use when we feel like we are disassociating? (Breathing exercises) and some other mechanisms to use when we are feeling anxious. They tried teaching us some mindfulness? (Meditation.) I mean I found it a little helpful but not as much as I wanted it to be? I meantioned it to my counselor though so I'm still going to see them periodcally. But yeah...

Thanks for the update! Good for you for going to the work shop. That in itself is a big step. Sounds like the things they taught could be very helpful in diminishing anxiety. Breathing exercises and mindfulness, are two things that are widely used to help anxiety. It takes practice and repetition for these two things to really work.

Keep trying, keep practicing. It can be hard.... but your anxiety will get better. Good job!!

The first time at a workshop may seem scary but once you’re there you might find it very helpful!