Social anxiety therapy groups
The 6 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups in 2022
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Online anxiety support groups can help you connect with others and share your experiences in a supportive, judgment-free zone.
Living with anxiety can be an isolating experience, and you may feel alone at times, especially if people around you can’t relate to what you’re going through.
Online anxiety support groups provide a safe space in which you can:
- connect with others with anxiety
- share your feelings
- find support and strength from the community
Anxiety is a common mental health condition. In fact, 31% of adults in the United States will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. If you have anxiety, you don’t have to go through it alone. Sometimes, having support from others who have similar experiences is just what you need.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite online anxiety support groups, which you can access from the comfort of your home.
Something to keep in mind
While anxiety support groups can be a great resource, they can’t replace treatment if a medical professional has recommended therapy or prescribed medication for your anxiety disorder.
Support groups are also unsuitable to help you when you are in crisis.
If you’re considering self-harm or suicide, help is available
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can access free support right away with these resources:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- The Trevor Project. LGBTQIA+ and under 25 years old? Call 866-488-7386, text “START” to 678678, or chat online 24-7.
- Veterans Crisis Line.
Call 800-273-8255, text 838255, or chat online 24-7. - Deaf Crisis Line. Call 321-800-DEAF (3323), text “HAND” at 839863, or visit their website.
- Befrienders Worldwide. This international crisis helpline network can help you find a local helpline.
If you want to jump directly to the section for each service, you can click the links below.
- Best overall: Support Groups Central
- Best app: 7 Cups
- Best for people with anxiety and substance use disorder: SMART Recovery
- Best for immediate support: Inspire by Mental Health of America
- Best peer-to-peer support group: TheTribe
- Best online discussion forum: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
To select the best online anxiety support groups, we spent time considering important aspects of each platform, including:
- anonymity and privacy offered to participants
- accuracy of information provided on the site
- established and secure website or app
- guidelines for participation
- moderation (particularly for discussion forums)
- user reviews
- qualifications of the staff
As you search through mental health sites, you want a trustworthy place you can go where you know you’ll get unbiased, factual information.
Gaining and maintaining your trust is a primary goal of our editorial team.
All of our content is editorially independent, and we ensure that business partners and sponsors never influence our content. We link only to products and services we believe fill a direct need or provide value to our readers.
Finally, all of our health content is reviewed by our medical affairs team to ensure that it’s medically accurate and aligned with current standards of care.
Best overall
Support Groups Central
- Price: most groups are free, but some charge a small fee to participate
- Platform: website
Support Groups Central offers support groups for various mental health conditions, including anxiety. In addition to groups categorized by conditions, there are groups for:
- People of Color
- the LGBTQIA+ community
- veterans
People from around the world use the groups to:
- share their experiences
- encourage one another
- offer support
In addition to asking questions on the discussion forums, members can join meetings via video and audio.
If you prefer anonymity, you can turn off your video and log in with a username.
Support Groups Central is a large platform, offering a wide range of support groups, covering a span of conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and narcolepsy. Getting started is free and meetings are directed by trained instructors.
What we like
- Meetings are led by trained instructors, many of whom are licensed mental health professionals.
- You can sign up for email alerts about future meetings by topics of interest.
- According to Support Groups Central’s website, 95% of participants would recommend the service to others.
What to look out for
- Some groups charge a fee or request donations to participate.
- As with most discussion forums, it’s advisable to be cautious with tips offered by group members and to discuss them with your treatment team, as the information may not be evidence-based or medically recommended.
Get started with Support Groups Central
Best app
7 Cups
- Price: free access to connect with listeners in chat rooms and forums; $150 a month for unlimited chat sessions with a licensed mental health professional
- Platform: app, website
7 Cups is an online emotional support service that allows users to connect with friendly, caring support any time, day or night.
The app has more than 300,000 trained volunteers called “listeners” who provide free emotional support when you need it. Connect one-on-one with a listener in a private chat room, find support and friendship in the forums, or join a scheduled support group session.
7 Cups offers online meetings each week, including sharing circles and support sessions. They also have a community specifically for anxiety support.
Why we chose it as best app
7 Cups is a unique service in that you can connect with a trained listener 24/7 to receive emotional support.
What we like
- You can connect with a caring listener within minutes of logging on, any time day or night.
- Self-help guides provide detailed information on many mental health topics and conditions to give users information and advice on coping strategies.
- Professional moderators maintain a safe, supportive community.
- Web- and app-based, so you can access the service from your tablet, computer, or smartphone.
What to look out for
- Accessing chats with a licensed mental health professional costs $150 a month, and is only available to people older than 18 years.
- There is a high turnover of listeners, which means you may need to speak with a new person each time you log in.
- The listeners are trained volunteers, not mental health professionals.
- Tips offered in the forums may not be evidence-based or medically recommended, so it’s best to use caution and discuss anything you may want to try with your treatment team.
Get started with 7 Cups
Best for people with anxiety and substance use disorder
SMART Recovery
- Price: free
- Platform: Website
SMART Recovery offers support for those living with substance use disorder (SUD) and other dual diagnoses, including anxiety.
Mutual-support groups with members around the world help participants resolve problems related to addiction.
SMART Recovery takes a science-based approach that emphasizes self-empowerment and changing behaviors.
The site provides free access to more than 40 online meetings a week, and online discussion forums are open around the clock.
Why we chose it as best for anxiety and SUD
SMART Recovery’s groups and online meetings are free and open to anyone looking for research-based support for addiction recovery.
What we like
- The search function helps you find local in-person groups, local virtual groups, and virtual groups with others around the world.
- SMART Recovery uses evidence, science-based approaches to recovery.
What to look out for
- The service doesn’t require group leaders to be sober.
- Members are encouraged to focus on the present and future, rather than share stories from the past.
Get started with SMART Recovery
Best for immediate support
Inspire by Mental Health America
- Price: free
- Platform: website
Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing mental health conditions and promoting wellness.
The site offers early identification and intervention, as well as a list of services and support for those who need it.
MHA’s online support group, Inspire, is a free resource that allows members to share experiences, ask questions, and get peer-to-peer support from others who understand what it’s like to live with anxiety.
Why we chose it as best for immediate support
MHA’s Inspire is a free platform where members with anxiety can take free mental health screening tests and connect with one another for 24/7 support.
What we like
- MHA offers free mental health screening tests, including a test for anxiety.
- Inspire is the largest provider of health-specific communities.
- Groups are moderated by MHA staff.
What to look out for
- The groups are led by peers, not trained mental health professionals.
Get started with Inspire by MHA
Best peer-to-peer support group
TheTribe
- Price: free
- Platform: website
TheTribe wellness community is a peer-to-peer support group for those living with mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.
With over 130,000 members, TheTribe users share stories and meet others with similar experiences in a supportive online space.
In addition to online groups, TheTribe encourages members to complete fun activities and offers resources to find online therapy.
Why we chose it as best peer-to-peer support group
The tribe offers a large platform in which people living with a variety of anxiety disorders can connect with one another in a safe space.
What we like
- TheTribe has groups for various communities, including anxiety, the LGBTQIA+ community, and teens.
- Inspirational wellness tools include wellness tracker, member blogs, mood mapping, and sending kudos to other members.
What to look out for
- There’s a lack of facilitators.
- TheTribe doesn’t offer discussion boards.
Get started with TheTribe
Best online discussion forum
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Price: free
- Platform: website
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education and research around mental health conditions.
The site offers a comprehensive list of community and online support groups for anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions.
AADA’s online chat-based forums and peer-to-peer support groups allow members to:
- connect with others who are experiencing anxiety
- contribute to conversations
- ask questions
- share their journey
Why we chose it as best online discussion forum
The ADAA forum is a safe space where both English- and Spanish-speaking individuals with anxiety can connect with and support one another.
What we like
- The site hosts active discussion forums with engaged members from around the world.
- Educational resources include webinars, podcasts, videos, books, and brochures on anxiety disorders.
- ADAA has support groups for English- as well as Spanish-speaking folks.
What to look out for
- Groups aren’t led by trained professionals, though they are moderated by community members.
- It’s best to use caution with suggestions made by forum members and to discuss whether suggested practices are safe for you with your treatment team.
Get started with ADAA
| Best for | Features | Platforms | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Groups Central | Overall | • diverse groups available • specialized groups for LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, People of Color | website | • most free • some charge small fee |
| 7 Cups | App | • open 24/7 • trained listeners • option to chat with mental health pro (for a fee) | app, website | • free for forum • $150 a month to chat with mental health pro |
| SMART Recovery | Anxiety and SUD | • support for SUD and anxiety • free meetings • science-based approach | website | free |
| Inspire by MHA | Immediate support | • peer support • mental health screening tests | website | free |
| TheTribe | Peer-to-peer support | • specialized groups for LGBTQIA+, teens, etc.  • wellness tools | website | free |
| Anxiety and Depression Association of America | Online discussion forum | • English & Spanish • educational resources | website | free |
An anxiety support group is a place where people living with anxiety can:
- connect
- share experiences and tips
- support one another
Some support groups are led by trained professionals while others simply offer peer support without a specific agenda.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for in this list, here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for an anxiety support group that suits your needs:
- Do you want to attend an online or in-person group?
- Do you want a group that’s primarily peer support or one led by a trained professional?
- Do you prefer talking to one person at a time or posting on a forum?
- Do you want a free group or are you OK with paying a fee?
- Are you looking for anxiety support within a specific community, such as veterans, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ folks, or new moms?
- Do you prefer a structured format that follows a curriculum or a more free-flowing format?
For best results, it’s important to attend or make use of the group regularly.
A small 2020 study found that online and offline peer support groups are central to recovery from mental health conditions.
What is the purpose of a support group for anxiety?
For many people, living with anxiety is a lonely experience. Online support groups bring people together to share thoughts and feelings, learn coping strategies, and hear stories of others that can be validating to your own experience.
Online anxiety support groups often fill a gap between medical treatment for anxiety and the need for emotional support, helping members feel less alone.
Whether you have access to other mental health support or not, online anxiety support groups offer fellowship, understanding, and a safe space to share and connect with others — all from the comfort of your own home.
How do online support groups differ from in-person support groups?
Online support groups are becoming increasingly popular, as a convenient, affordable, and accessible alternative to in-person groups.
These groups offer accessibility, flexibility, and privacy. People with social anxiety may find online groups less intimidating to participate in.
In-person anxiety support groups give members the chance to engage in face-to-face interactions, which may make relationship building and fostering connections a little easier for some.
How are anxiety support groups structured?
Anxiety support groups can be structured in a variety of ways. Some groups follow a curriculum while others allow the members to choose the topics, just go with the flow, or a combination of both.
Support groups can also have different types of facilitators.
Professional-led groups are those guided by a licensed mental health professional. Other groups are led by peer facilitators — people who live with an anxiety disorder but who’ve made significant progress in managing their symptoms. These peer facilitators often receive training before leading a support group.
Self-help groups tend to be those organized and managed by members (peers) with no professionals guiding the conversations.
Some support groups are ongoing, while others have a specific number of sessions.
And, of course, some are online while others are face-to-face.
You may need to try both online and in-person support groups to determine which is the best fit for you. There may be times you prefer the ease of online groups and others where you crave in-person interactions. So it’s also OK to switch between these formats or make use of both at the same time.
Online support groups won’t treat anxiety on their own, but having access to peer support can be very helpful in managing anxiety in your daily life.
You may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you’ve just met when you first joined a group. Try to listen and warm up to others in the group. Over time, you may feel more comfortable sharing your own experiences.
It’s important to remember that a support group isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care. If you need help coping with your anxiety beyond what a support group can provide, talking with a doctor or therapist might be best.
The 6 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups in 2022
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Online anxiety support groups can help you connect with others and share your experiences in a supportive, judgment-free zone.
Living with anxiety can be an isolating experience, and you may feel alone at times, especially if people around you can’t relate to what you’re going through.
Online anxiety support groups provide a safe space in which you can:
- connect with others with anxiety
- share your feelings
- find support and strength from the community
Anxiety is a common mental health condition. In fact, 31% of adults in the United States will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. If you have anxiety, you don’t have to go through it alone. Sometimes, having support from others who have similar experiences is just what you need.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite online anxiety support groups, which you can access from the comfort of your home.
Something to keep in mind
While anxiety support groups can be a great resource, they can’t replace treatment if a medical professional has recommended therapy or prescribed medication for your anxiety disorder.
Support groups are also unsuitable to help you when you are in crisis.
If you’re considering self-harm or suicide, help is available
If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you can access free support right away with these resources:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- The Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- The Trevor Project. LGBTQIA+ and under 25 years old? Call 866-488-7386, text “START” to 678678, or chat online 24-7.
- Veterans Crisis Line.
Call 800-273-8255, text 838255, or chat online 24-7. - Deaf Crisis Line. Call 321-800-DEAF (3323), text “HAND” at 839863, or visit their website.
- Befrienders Worldwide. This international crisis helpline network can help you find a local helpline.
If you want to jump directly to the section for each service, you can click the links below.
- Best overall: Support Groups Central
- Best app: 7 Cups
- Best for people with anxiety and substance use disorder: SMART Recovery
- Best for immediate support: Inspire by Mental Health of America
- Best peer-to-peer support group: TheTribe
- Best online discussion forum: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
To select the best online anxiety support groups, we spent time considering important aspects of each platform, including:
- anonymity and privacy offered to participants
- accuracy of information provided on the site
- established and secure website or app
- guidelines for participation
- moderation (particularly for discussion forums)
- user reviews
- qualifications of the staff
As you search through mental health sites, you want a trustworthy place you can go where you know you’ll get unbiased, factual information.
Gaining and maintaining your trust is a primary goal of our editorial team.
All of our content is editorially independent, and we ensure that business partners and sponsors never influence our content. We link only to products and services we believe fill a direct need or provide value to our readers.
Finally, all of our health content is reviewed by our medical affairs team to ensure that it’s medically accurate and aligned with current standards of care.
Best overall
Support Groups Central
- Price: most groups are free, but some charge a small fee to participate
- Platform: website
Support Groups Central offers support groups for various mental health conditions, including anxiety. In addition to groups categorized by conditions, there are groups for:
- People of Color
- the LGBTQIA+ community
- veterans
People from around the world use the groups to:
- share their experiences
- encourage one another
- offer support
In addition to asking questions on the discussion forums, members can join meetings via video and audio.
If you prefer anonymity, you can turn off your video and log in with a username.
Support Groups Central is a large platform, offering a wide range of support groups, covering a span of conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and narcolepsy. Getting started is free and meetings are directed by trained instructors.
What we like
- Meetings are led by trained instructors, many of whom are licensed mental health professionals.
- You can sign up for email alerts about future meetings by topics of interest.
- According to Support Groups Central’s website, 95% of participants would recommend the service to others.
What to look out for
- Some groups charge a fee or request donations to participate.
- As with most discussion forums, it’s advisable to be cautious with tips offered by group members and to discuss them with your treatment team, as the information may not be evidence-based or medically recommended.
Get started with Support Groups Central
Best app
7 Cups
- Price: free access to connect with listeners in chat rooms and forums; $150 a month for unlimited chat sessions with a licensed mental health professional
- Platform: app, website
7 Cups is an online emotional support service that allows users to connect with friendly, caring support any time, day or night.
The app has more than 300,000 trained volunteers called “listeners” who provide free emotional support when you need it. Connect one-on-one with a listener in a private chat room, find support and friendship in the forums, or join a scheduled support group session.
7 Cups offers online meetings each week, including sharing circles and support sessions. They also have a community specifically for anxiety support.
Why we chose it as best app
7 Cups is a unique service in that you can connect with a trained listener 24/7 to receive emotional support.
What we like
- You can connect with a caring listener within minutes of logging on, any time day or night.
- Self-help guides provide detailed information on many mental health topics and conditions to give users information and advice on coping strategies.
- Professional moderators maintain a safe, supportive community.
- Web- and app-based, so you can access the service from your tablet, computer, or smartphone.
What to look out for
- Accessing chats with a licensed mental health professional costs $150 a month, and is only available to people older than 18 years.
- There is a high turnover of listeners, which means you may need to speak with a new person each time you log in.
- The listeners are trained volunteers, not mental health professionals.
- Tips offered in the forums may not be evidence-based or medically recommended, so it’s best to use caution and discuss anything you may want to try with your treatment team.
Get started with 7 Cups
Best for people with anxiety and substance use disorder
SMART Recovery
- Price: free
- Platform: Website
SMART Recovery offers support for those living with substance use disorder (SUD) and other dual diagnoses, including anxiety.
Mutual-support groups with members around the world help participants resolve problems related to addiction.
SMART Recovery takes a science-based approach that emphasizes self-empowerment and changing behaviors.
The site provides free access to more than 40 online meetings a week, and online discussion forums are open around the clock.
Why we chose it as best for anxiety and SUD
SMART Recovery’s groups and online meetings are free and open to anyone looking for research-based support for addiction recovery.
What we like
- The search function helps you find local in-person groups, local virtual groups, and virtual groups with others around the world.
- SMART Recovery uses evidence, science-based approaches to recovery.
What to look out for
- The service doesn’t require group leaders to be sober.
- Members are encouraged to focus on the present and future, rather than share stories from the past.
Get started with SMART Recovery
Best for immediate support
Inspire by Mental Health America
- Price: free
- Platform: website
Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing mental health conditions and promoting wellness.
The site offers early identification and intervention, as well as a list of services and support for those who need it.
MHA’s online support group, Inspire, is a free resource that allows members to share experiences, ask questions, and get peer-to-peer support from others who understand what it’s like to live with anxiety.
Why we chose it as best for immediate support
MHA’s Inspire is a free platform where members with anxiety can take free mental health screening tests and connect with one another for 24/7 support.
What we like
- MHA offers free mental health screening tests, including a test for anxiety.
- Inspire is the largest provider of health-specific communities.
- Groups are moderated by MHA staff.
What to look out for
- The groups are led by peers, not trained mental health professionals.
Get started with Inspire by MHA
Best peer-to-peer support group
TheTribe
- Price: free
- Platform: website
TheTribe wellness community is a peer-to-peer support group for those living with mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.
With over 130,000 members, TheTribe users share stories and meet others with similar experiences in a supportive online space.
In addition to online groups, TheTribe encourages members to complete fun activities and offers resources to find online therapy.
Why we chose it as best peer-to-peer support group
The tribe offers a large platform in which people living with a variety of anxiety disorders can connect with one another in a safe space.
What we like
- TheTribe has groups for various communities, including anxiety, the LGBTQIA+ community, and teens.
- Inspirational wellness tools include wellness tracker, member blogs, mood mapping, and sending kudos to other members.
What to look out for
- There’s a lack of facilitators.
- TheTribe doesn’t offer discussion boards.
Get started with TheTribe
Best online discussion forum
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Price: free
- Platform: website
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education and research around mental health conditions.
The site offers a comprehensive list of community and online support groups for anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions.
AADA’s online chat-based forums and peer-to-peer support groups allow members to:
- connect with others who are experiencing anxiety
- contribute to conversations
- ask questions
- share their journey
Why we chose it as best online discussion forum
The ADAA forum is a safe space where both English- and Spanish-speaking individuals with anxiety can connect with and support one another.
What we like
- The site hosts active discussion forums with engaged members from around the world.
- Educational resources include webinars, podcasts, videos, books, and brochures on anxiety disorders.
- ADAA has support groups for English- as well as Spanish-speaking folks.
What to look out for
- Groups aren’t led by trained professionals, though they are moderated by community members.
- It’s best to use caution with suggestions made by forum members and to discuss whether suggested practices are safe for you with your treatment team.
Get started with ADAA
| Best for | Features | Platforms | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support Groups Central | Overall | • diverse groups available • specialized groups for LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, People of Color | website | • most free • some charge small fee |
| 7 Cups | App | • open 24/7 • trained listeners • option to chat with mental health pro (for a fee) | app, website | • free for forum • $150 a month to chat with mental health pro |
| SMART Recovery | Anxiety and SUD | • support for SUD and anxiety • free meetings • science-based approach | website | free |
| Inspire by MHA | Immediate support | • peer support • mental health screening tests | website | free |
| TheTribe | Peer-to-peer support | • specialized groups for LGBTQIA+, teens, etc.  • wellness tools | website | free |
| Anxiety and Depression Association of America | Online discussion forum | • English & Spanish • educational resources | website | free |
An anxiety support group is a place where people living with anxiety can:
- connect
- share experiences and tips
- support one another
Some support groups are led by trained professionals while others simply offer peer support without a specific agenda.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for in this list, here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for an anxiety support group that suits your needs:
- Do you want to attend an online or in-person group?
- Do you want a group that’s primarily peer support or one led by a trained professional?
- Do you prefer talking to one person at a time or posting on a forum?
- Do you want a free group or are you OK with paying a fee?
- Are you looking for anxiety support within a specific community, such as veterans, People of Color, LGBTQIA+ folks, or new moms?
- Do you prefer a structured format that follows a curriculum or a more free-flowing format?
For best results, it’s important to attend or make use of the group regularly.
A small 2020 study found that online and offline peer support groups are central to recovery from mental health conditions.
What is the purpose of a support group for anxiety?
For many people, living with anxiety is a lonely experience. Online support groups bring people together to share thoughts and feelings, learn coping strategies, and hear stories of others that can be validating to your own experience.
Online anxiety support groups often fill a gap between medical treatment for anxiety and the need for emotional support, helping members feel less alone.
Whether you have access to other mental health support or not, online anxiety support groups offer fellowship, understanding, and a safe space to share and connect with others — all from the comfort of your own home.
How do online support groups differ from in-person support groups?
Online support groups are becoming increasingly popular, as a convenient, affordable, and accessible alternative to in-person groups.
These groups offer accessibility, flexibility, and privacy. People with social anxiety may find online groups less intimidating to participate in.
In-person anxiety support groups give members the chance to engage in face-to-face interactions, which may make relationship building and fostering connections a little easier for some.
How are anxiety support groups structured?
Anxiety support groups can be structured in a variety of ways. Some groups follow a curriculum while others allow the members to choose the topics, just go with the flow, or a combination of both.
Support groups can also have different types of facilitators.
Professional-led groups are those guided by a licensed mental health professional. Other groups are led by peer facilitators — people who live with an anxiety disorder but who’ve made significant progress in managing their symptoms. These peer facilitators often receive training before leading a support group.
Self-help groups tend to be those organized and managed by members (peers) with no professionals guiding the conversations.
Some support groups are ongoing, while others have a specific number of sessions.
And, of course, some are online while others are face-to-face.
You may need to try both online and in-person support groups to determine which is the best fit for you. There may be times you prefer the ease of online groups and others where you crave in-person interactions. So it’s also OK to switch between these formats or make use of both at the same time.
Online support groups won’t treat anxiety on their own, but having access to peer support can be very helpful in managing anxiety in your daily life.
You may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you’ve just met when you first joined a group. Try to listen and warm up to others in the group. Over time, you may feel more comfortable sharing your own experiences.
It’s important to remember that a support group isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care. If you need help coping with your anxiety beyond what a support group can provide, talking with a doctor or therapist might be best.
Social anxiety? 3 Reasons to Try Group Therapy
Research shows that group therapy is effective in reducing social anxiety.
As the event approaches, your heart rate increases and your palms sweat.
According to the American Anxiety and Depression Association, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness diagnosed in the United States, affecting more than 40 million adults, or 18% of the total population.
If left untreated, anxiety disorders tend to get worse, limiting your life and causing you to withdraw from the world. The more you go into isolation, the more your symptoms get worse. And soon, daily activities such as ordering food at a restaurant or buying stamps at the post office cause panic. Unfortunately, sometimes people even try to cope with anxiety through drugs or alcohol. While individual therapy may offer relief, research published by Reuters has shown that group therapy is effective for people suffering from social anxiety in particular, and recommends that group therapy be preferred in such cases.
What makes groups effective? People with social anxiety feel much calmer in one-on-one communication, which is what individual therapy suggests. In one-on-one communication, they do not experience the anxiety that appears when they find themselves in society. Usually, they give details about incidents of high anxiety that occur outside of the therapist's office, but it can be difficult for the therapist to determine if the stories are distorted or inaccurate. For example:
- Did everyone really look at them?
- Did anyone really criticize them?
- Do they cause negative reactions in others?
In group therapy, however, therapists observe social anxiety in action and can identify causes and triggering conditions. For example, anxiety can be the result of misunderstandings, negative projections, gender issues, or old trauma. Armed with this insight, group therapists can intervene at the point of anxiety and help the person with social anxiety learn to manage their feelings, reduce distortions, and make healthier choices.
3 Ways Group Therapy Also Helps Reduce Social Anxiety:
1. Group Prevents Social Isolation
Group Therapy Prevents Social Isolation by Providing New, Supportive Relationships. In addition, in the group you find that you are not alone, other people share your fears and worries. As a result, you develop a deeper compassion and empathy for your own difficulties and those of others. The experience of working in a group promotes bonding and social healing.
2. The group develops social skills
The group provides a place to practice vital social skills such as self-expression, setting boundaries and developing emotional communication. And the best part: when your anxiety suddenly flares up, the group leader is there to help you deal with it and build resilience.
3. The group recreates the social environment
Social anxiety requires social treatment. Group therapy helps you better manage your fears by providing a safe, supportive social environment in which to live and gain an understanding of the causes of your anxiety.
Marsha Martian
Marsha has struggled with social anxiety for most of her life. Like many people who struggle with anxiety, she has a history of social trauma. She remembered how she panicked in elementary school when the teacher called her. “My face was covered with crimson spots. The children said I became Mars, the red planet. She began to be called Marsha the Martian."
During her high school and college years, she avoided public speaking, skipped parties, and avoided gatherings. “I spent most of my time in my dorm room or in the library. I missed a lot."
When I suggested that Marsha try joining one of my weekly therapy groups, like most people with social anxiety, she said no. “Groups are like a firing squad for me. Why would I do this to myself?"
Over time, she agreed to join one of the groups. “I was desperate. I have an aunt who does not leave her house. I was afraid it might happen to me in the future.
