Social Anxiety Support

RedMan · 11-02-2009, 07:51 AM

Hi all,
Has anyone here actually been to a SAD support group? Its a great idea, but i just imagine a room full of people not speaking and watching the clock praying for the meeting to end (at least thats what i;d probably do) - strikes me as sad and funny at the same time...

Groups, meet and greets , etc, seem like a very tall order for most people in our situations. Havent been able to find any anyway...

But having never been to anything like this myself, i really don;t know what it'd be like. Sooo...has anyone ever met with other SAD people? And how was your experience?

Thanks
Redman

edit: also - are there any SAD chat rooms that anyone is aware of? that seems like it'd be a good place to start.

edit edit: nvm - i'm a little slow i guess....there chat on this board

Homersxchild · 11-02-2009, 08:06 AM

I've never been to a group like that but I always wondered what it would be like as well. Would any of us feel more comfortable knowing that everyone in the group suffers in the same way? Perhaps we wouldn't be as scared with others of the same problem. We wouldn't have to be embarressed about it at any rate, and everyone would understand what we go through.

I think it would be a good way to lure us out of our shells. To practice socializing with others and we don't need to be worried about what they think of us, they wouldn't be too judgemental about why its difficult for us to talk.

Beggiatoa · 11-02-2009, 09:06 AM

I went to a SAD group once. It was so sad, everyone was afraid of each other. Lol.

Pilfrom · 11-02-2009, 09:11 AM

I've been to a general anxiety management group, but as I was the only person there with SAD and no one could relate, I ended up leaving.

meghan · 11-02-2009, 09:15 AM

i have meetups all the time with people ive met here. its awesome we do all sorts of fun things. i dont think theres ever been a moment of silence with us

RedMan · 11-02-2009, 11:52 AM

Thats great meghan - makes me a little more optimistic.

meghan · 11-02-2009, 01:23 PM

yeah its great and the best thing is that none of us ever really get anxiety when were together cause we all understand each other. its such great support. the fisrt time we met we were all a little tense for the first 20 min, but we all have so much in common. we love joking around and just being fun and dumb, and we never have to explain ourselves to each other

. Im so happy i did it makes you feel so much better knowing your not the only one out there.

static.unknown · 11-02-2009, 03:43 PM

I've met quite a few people from this forum and been to a few meetups. It's been a really great experience so far, and I've made lots of good friends. It seems almost easier to talk to people and meet new people when you know they've had similar experiences as you.

It is true that it can be a bit of a challenge for some people. You're essentially facing your fears head on by going out to meet other people with SA :P. But it's been worth it in my experience.

If you're interested in meeting other people with SA, but can't find any groups, perhaps you could start one yourself? Even something as simple as posting a message looking for people in your region to have lunch or something.

carambola · 11-02-2009, 04:27 PM

I've been to one. Most people there had been going for a while and had gotten comfortable with each other, so everyone talked.

lookingforpeace · 11-02-2009, 06:09 PM

I do some phone meetings for Social Phobics Anonymous. They are ok. There are lots of people on the calls, but nobody really says anything. Lots of silence. I try to read and/or share every time, and it gets pretty comfortable after a while. If anyone wants to know any info about it, feel free to pm me. They are free except for using up minutes on your phone.

Moon Calf · 11-03-2009, 11:13 AM

No, but I'd like to go to one. Unfortunately, I can't find one near me.

Toad Licker · 11-03-2009, 12:23 PM

Never been to an SA group before but I have been to a few groups many years ago, they never seemed to help but I was way messed up back then, they might help more now but they don't seem to have any going on whenever I ask my counselor about them.

_AJ_ · 11-11-2009, 12:50 PM

we used the chat room on this very site. just click up there in the top left corner. the edmonton crew and the montreal crew all met up threw that chat

_AJ_ · 11-11-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meghan

yeah its great and the best thing is that none of us ever really get anxiety when were together cause we all understand each other. its such great support. the fisrt time we met we were all a little tense for the first 20 min, but we all have so much in common. we love joking around and just being fun and dumb, and we never have to explain ourselves to each other

. Im so happy i did it makes you feel so much better knowing your not the only one out there.

this made me happy

(mainly cause i was there at the time

)

The Strong Silent Type · 11-11-2009, 04:13 PM

I have been to a couple awkward meetups, but for the most part, they are very fun.

Hoth · 11-11-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedMan

i just imagine a room full of people not speaking and watching the clock praying for the meeting to end (at least thats what i;d probably do) - strikes me as sad and funny at the same time...

You're forgetting that these things are self-selective. The people who can manage to show up tend to be those who:
A) are medicated so that they're not feeling the anxiety while there
or
B) have narrower social anxieties that don't affect them as much in that setting
or
C) are recovering already and not having as much trouble

People not in one of those categories rarely make it to a group.

In the last group I went to, I was the only person not under the influence of medication and they were all talking constantly. I've been to three different SA groups, and silence was never a problem -- really, it was too loud and too constant and too fast-paced for me. Honestly, meeting SA people just makes me feel like more of an outcast amongst outcasts and I envy the way they seem to be able to relax and get along with each other, but I'll keep trying.

Odds are you'll have better luck and be amongst the majority who talk freely at an SA group.

mixolydian · 11-12-2009, 05:39 AM

I was part of a specific social anxiety disorder group CBT program which finished up a couple of weeks ago. It was quite difficult for me and was very awkward at times as there were periods of silence despite two psychologists running it. There were six other people in the group besides myself and we were all very different people despite being there for the same reason. It was a good experience however and it did help me to some extent though I am a long way from being saved.

11-02-2009, 07:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
RedMan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Gender: Male Age: 38 Posts: 5	Anyone ever been to a SAD group Hi all, Has anyone here actually been to a SAD support group? Its a great idea, but i just imagine a room full of people not speaking and watching the clock praying for the meeting to end (at least thats what i;d probably do) - strikes me as sad and funny at the same time... Groups, meet and greets , etc, seem like a very tall order for most people in our situations. Havent been able to find any anyway... But having never been to anything like this myself, i really don;t know what it'd be like. Sooo...has anyone ever met with other SAD people? And how was your experience? Thanks Redman edit: also - are there any SAD chat rooms that anyone is aware of? that seems like it'd be a good place to start. edit edit: nvm - i'm a little slow i guess....there chat on this board

11-02-2009, 09:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Beggiatoa Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Age: 30 Posts: 1,026	I went to a SAD group once. It was so sad, everyone was afraid of each other. Lol. __________________ The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) It's the government's way of trying to protect you from protecting yourself.

11-03-2009, 12:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
Toad Licker Status: Broken Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: A Fruitloop Daydream Gender: Male Age: 44 Posts: 29,638	Never been to an SA group before but I have been to a few groups many years ago, they never seemed to help but I was way messed up back then, they might help more now but they don't seem to have any going on whenever I ask my counselor about them. __________________ All will wither, go to sleep The ones you love you may not keep All you touch will fall apart The dreams you kill will break your heart There's no mercy, there's no rest The void will scream within your chest No one knows and no one will So leave this place that makes you Ill - Madder Mortem

11-11-2009, 12:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
_AJ_ Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 734	we used the chat room on this very site. just click up there in the top left corner. the edmonton crew and the montreal crew all met up threw that chat __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the decision to act in spite of it.

11-11-2009, 04:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
The Strong Silent Type Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Fairfax, VA Gender: Male Posts: 139	I have been to a couple awkward meetups, but for the most part, they are very fun. __________________ My New Life The VA/MD/DC Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup Facebook

11-02-2009, 08:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
Homersxchild Status: Garr. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA. Gender: Female Age: 18 Posts: 111	I've never been to a group like that but I always wondered what it would be like as well. Would any of us feel more comfortable knowing that everyone in the group suffers in the same way? Perhaps we wouldn't be as scared with others of the same problem. We wouldn't have to be embarressed about it at any rate, and everyone would understand what we go through. I think it would be a good way to lure us out of our shells. To practice socializing with others and we don't need to be worried about what they think of us, they wouldn't be too judgemental about why its difficult for us to talk.

11-02-2009, 09:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Pilfrom Status: I'll be brave for a while Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle England/hades Age: 28 Posts: 26	I've been to a general anxiety management group, but as I was the only person there with SAD and no one could relate, I ended up leaving.

11-02-2009, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
meghan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: alberta canada Gender: Female Posts: 63	i have meetups all the time with people ive met here. its awesome we do all sorts of fun things. i dont think theres ever been a moment of silence with us

11-02-2009, 11:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
RedMan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey Gender: Male Age: 38 Posts: 5	Thats great meghan - makes me a little more optimistic.

11-02-2009, 01:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
meghan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: alberta canada Gender: Female Posts: 63	yeah its great and the best thing is that none of us ever really get anxiety when were together cause we all understand each other. its such great support. the fisrt time we met we were all a little tense for the first 20 min, but we all have so much in common. we love joking around and just being fun and dumb, and we never have to explain ourselves to each other . Im so happy i did it makes you feel so much better knowing your not the only one out there.

11-02-2009, 03:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
static.unknown Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 83	I've met quite a few people from this forum and been to a few meetups. It's been a really great experience so far, and I've made lots of good friends. It seems almost easier to talk to people and meet new people when you know they've had similar experiences as you. It is true that it can be a bit of a challenge for some people. You're essentially facing your fears head on by going out to meet other people with SA :P. But it's been worth it in my experience. If you're interested in meeting other people with SA, but can't find any groups, perhaps you could start one yourself? Even something as simple as posting a message looking for people in your region to have lunch or something.

11-02-2009, 04:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
carambola Status: SAS Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: California Age: 24 Posts: 735	I've been to one. Most people there had been going for a while and had gotten comfortable with each other, so everyone talked.

11-02-2009, 06:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
lookingforpeace Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 45	I do some phone meetings for Social Phobics Anonymous. They are ok. There are lots of people on the calls, but nobody really says anything. Lots of silence. I try to read and/or share every time, and it gets pretty comfortable after a while. If anyone wants to know any info about it, feel free to pm me. They are free except for using up minutes on your phone.

11-03-2009, 11:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
Moon Calf Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Age: 29 Posts: 117	No, but I'd like to go to one. Unfortunately, I can't find one near me.

11-12-2009, 05:39 AM	#17 (permalink)
mixolydian Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Gender: Male Age: 21 Posts: 72	I was part of a specific social anxiety disorder group CBT program which finished up a couple of weeks ago. It was quite difficult for me and was very awkward at times as there were periods of silence despite two psychologists running it. There were six other people in the group besides myself and we were all very different people despite being there for the same reason. It was a good experience however and it did help me to some extent though I am a long way from being saved.