Anxiety Support Groups

People who lead busy lives normally experience anxiety, which they can use to their advantage. Anxiety can heighten one’s alertness and improve one’s performance in specific situations.

Abnormal bouts of anxiety, however, are another matter. Recurring episodes of irrational fear or apprehension can limit one’s actions and decisions.

Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering various forms of pathological anxieties and phobias. A person who has it can have panic attacks or brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension that may cause shaking, confusion, nausea, difficulty breathing, and feelings of impending doom.

Undiagnosed or misdiagnosed anxiety disorders can lead to true phobias, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. Knowing the specific anxiety disorder is important, as an accurate diagnosis is the first step at effective treatment and prognosis.

Anxiety disorders are like stale air that has to be vented out. The good thing is that nobody has to deal with it alone.

There are anxiety disorder support groups that help sufferers recover through mutual support and provide reliable information about causes and treatment, disproving some of the myths about anxiety disorders.

Anxiety Disorder Association of America (ADAA) regularly updates its support groups and information about current groups.

ADAA has listed support groups in all states, plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It even has listings for support groups in Canada, Mexico, South Africa and Australia.

Facts about particular disorders and their treatment, a glossary of anxiety disorder jargon, and a directory of links to other websites on anxiety disorders can be found at The Anxiety Community website, which also features chat, members list and members’ articles.

Volunteers who have overcome anxiety or panic moderate the message boards at HealingWell.com, which also offer chat dedicated to sharing information, offering support, and coping strategies for sufferers.

Teenagers with anxiety disorders can share real-life experiences and coping strategies through a Yahoo support group.

A community-operated mental health support group, Anxiety Zone is dedicated to helping people suffering from anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Hypochondria, Panic Disorder, Clinical Depression, Specific Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Psych Central has the largest database on psychological issues, such as anxiety disorders and phobias, and offers helpful forums, chat and emails on specific concerns. It has a wide membership worldwide, and most of its members are actively involved in these encouraging exchanges.

Other recommended online support groups are Anxiety Tribe, Treatment Online and Anxiety Talks. Like the others mentioned, they offer information and support tools for people who suffer from anxiety disorders, especially Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety (sometimes referred to as Social Phobia), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Thanks to the internet, help is just a click away.