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Starting a support group?

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Posted 4/24/2011 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
So this is crazy but my girlfriend and I were hanging out with a good friend of mine and he brought his friend who I wasn't too familiar with and we ended up into a discussion on how we are practically THE SAME when it comes to our anxiety disorders lol our experiences are so much alike I literally had to ask him if he was me and he pretty much said yea but not as good looking

one feeling I had though while talking to him is a GREAT SENSE OF relief, especially since he is now overcoming what I went through, I mean he's been in the ER for these little anxiety related symptoms as has I and what not and he is 23 and I am 21, so we came up with the idea of starting a local support group for people our age with anxiety disorders! I mean how awesome would it be to find a set of people you can relate to... I know that when I was at my worst I'd ALWAYS feel alone and thining I was the only one suffering out there

alright so the point of this thread is bascially, do you guys actually have any suggestions on how to go about this? has anyone done something like this? and if I do get it started up, what kind of exercises or whatever can we do? all I got in mind is shareing our experiences and hanging out but that leaves room for a lackluster meeting to occur so I don't know

any suggestions or recommendations would be awesome

thanks guys
Posted 4/24/2011 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CM Punk

It is awesome that you have found someone - in person - you can commiserate with! I envy your sense of relief, lol!

I think starting a support group in your area for your demographic is a great idea, but you're right, without a focus, the meetings are likely to become "war stories" and then devolve from there. Being agoraphobic, I've never gone to such a meeting before but I do read...A LOT, so I think I can help you a bit there.

You already know who you want at these meetings (people of your age group suffering from anxiety/panic) the what and the why (anxiety/panic support and learn), but you also need a where (coffee shop, rotation of members houses, etc.), when (1/month?, 1/week?/time?, etc.) and a group leader (this can be you or can rotate from member to member each meeting). It is the group leader's job to ensure that the meeting serves its purpose and doesn't devolve into something else.

As for exercises, there are loads of self-help books out there that have exercises in them. One of my favourites is The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Dr. Edmund J. Bourne. You can find these types of books on Amazon, at bookstores or at your library. As for specific exercises, that would take way too much room here - but you know how to find me if you want specifics;)

Best of luck with this new endeavour! I think it is a great idea!

Snakecharmer
Posted 4/24/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Great advice! it really painted a more thorough picture of what to expect and how to prepare, I have never done a thing like this in my life but I feel like it could be so benefical because I know a lot of us feel alone and we are greatly comforted when we find out we're not, especially when they are our age and have similar lives and stuff

hehe I get the ";)" but chats are off limits haha threads aern't though! so ok I will look into that book u suggested and try to work out some plans on a general meeting to have, maybe i won't even run this alone, the guy I talked to seemed interested in running one with me and he's a brilliant dude going for a masters and stuff(no suprise! anxiety sufferers have great minds) so yea, hopefully I inspired others to do something similiar in their communities

thanks
Posted 4/24/2011 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
CM,

I am posting you a link to the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) for you to review and I would talk to your local state group to see how to set up a support group. http://www.nami.org/

It is a super idea and with fleshing out it could become very effective in your area.

I am glad to know you are advocating for anxiety.

Kindly,

Kitt

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