Would you join a social anxiety group in you area?

[kpiper0101]

I'd join a group if there was one feasible for me to go to.

[Mercurochrome]

Originally Posted by Drew

Was that message displayed to you when you tried to vote?

Oh, no.

No.

[Hoth]

Originally Posted by coldmorning

So maybe something like an art class or music lessons for those with SA. People could show up and you wouldn't have to talk or feel weird about silence. The focus would be on painting or whatever and not socializing or even therapy. We could try to find what skills some of us have to share. I have no idea how this would work in practice though.

I like the idea in theory, but there wouldn't be enough people in most areas to split into interest-based groups, and there's no common interest you can count on.

An alternate idea I've had is an SA meetup group where people find another member or two who's interested in attending the same other-topiced meetup group. For example, I don't have the nerve to join a hiking group or a writers group on meetup... but if I knew I wouldn't be the only antisocial freak attending, that could make it less threatening and more possible.

[ShyViolet]

I'd possibly join one run by a therapist.

[outcast69]

I'm trying to form one right now here in Philly;so far I think their is 3 including me.I hope more SA's from the area join.I heard some south Jersey SA's would be interested.If anyone is interested let me know.

[ecotec83]

I joined a group but found it had no structure in meetings and most times only 2 people would show up, sometimes less. Half the time we would talk about the same things weekly, i found it really unhelpful and stopped going after 3 weeks. I wish we had a group run by a therapist.

[Thomas Paine]

No. But maybe if it was very far from my area and I had the gas money to go there, lol.

[nightrain]

I would love to join a social group I need to get out more and start meeting new people.

[Girl_Loner]

Imagining everyone being nervously getting
ready for the group meeting might make me feel better about it.

I would like to go to a group meeting but..obviously thats
scary.

[Iced Soul]

If there are some in my area, I haven't found them, though I have heard there are some.
I'd go to one if it was interesting enough and I could work up the nerve to go.

[Yverinrey]

Originally Posted by coldmorning

I remember reading someone who described an SA meeting he went to and felt terrible afterward because the other SAers managed to talk to each other but he couldn't. So it was even worse then feeling left out of a regular group.

That's probably the only reason that would make me hesitate from going to an SA meetup. I'm used to being left out and feeling like the outcast around outgoing people but if those with SA managed to end up talking to each other and I couldn't do it...?

I'd feel like a lost cause.

Then again, perhaps repeatedly attending the group and knowing they have all had various degrees of the disorder would help me to take one step forward.

[Sunrisesunset]

No, I wouldn't. It sounds too scary. If others started making great progress and I fell behind, I'd be really embarrassed about it.

[christ~in~me]

i would definatly

[SixFigures]

Im in a anxiety CBT group right now run by 2 clinical psychologists . Im the only one with social anxiety, and the others all have general anxiety. I was so anxious during my first session, and everyone was so chatty and talking non stop. I didnt really want to go back but forced myself.

Its been really good despite being the only one with SA. We have to break up into pairs various times throughout the session and complete exercises. Each week they increase the amount of exposure and during my last session we had to have a one on one conversation with everyone in the room. I have 5 more sessions left.

[jer]

Originally Posted by Drew

One example of things that will be available is searching by zip code to find groups and people interested in starting/joining groups within XX miles of you.

This was exactly something I was thinking about.

We could add 4 items in peoples profiles -

1. ask them if they are interested in meeting with other folks in their area
2. Have them input their zip code
3. ask them how far they are willing to travel.
4. ask them what type of meetings they like to have (fun filled atmosphere versus quiet/relaxed atmosphere)

What I hope to achieve out it is that I can discuss my SA issues with somebody who is going through the same issues.
Also I dont have to pay for it (one time I paid a psychologist out of pocket for every session and got nothing out of it - so I am not too inclined to have a paid professional involved)
Thirdly I hope to make friends with somebody so I dont have to live my life like a hermit.


btw - I chose "other" in the poll

[The Strong Silent Type]

There are a couple good ones in Virginia that are really willing to help out members anonymously. I am a member to the Northern VA group on meetup.