Social Anxiety Group

Social anxiety can feel debilitating, and more people deal with it than you might imagine. Those who have social anxiety aren’t always easy to spot. That’s because many people with social anxiety have found ways to suppress the feelings of worry or panic that might well up in them if they are called upon to give a speech in front of other people, or even if they must make small talk in a social setting. These are tasks that someone without this concern might not think twice about undertaking but are potentially panic-inducing—or often at least challenging—to a person experiencing this.

What is social anxiety?

These judgments or perceived judgments can lead to strong feelings of anxiety, depression, humiliation, embarrassment, self-consciousness, and inadequacy. A bit less broadly, social anxiety disorder can also consist of feeling anxious about talking to new people or not well-known people, being in a new situation or setting, and not being sure how to interact or what to say in these settings—it doesn’t always have to consist of a fear of being judged.

Put in this context, one may see why some people seek out social anxiety support groups. It is important to note that this is different from someone feeling a little nervous about meeting their fiancé’s parents or having butterflies in their stomach before a job interview. Social anxiety, especially in more pronounced cases, can be so devastating that it can lead to the person wanting to remain in their home indefinitely. If you are experiencing any of these feelings, you may benefit from the flexibility and comfort that online therapy can provide. Speaking with an online professional can help remove some of the barriers in place with in-person counseling, and can feel less stressful and more manageable.

If you’re not sure whether you have social anxiety, then you should be mindful of the following symptoms of the condition. If you experience significant emotional distress related to interpersonal relationships or social phobia, then you might have it, whether those relationships are of a platonic or romantic nature. If you’re distressed by a situation at work where you’re being called upon to speak in front of people, that may be an indicator. 

The physical manifestations of the condition might include trembling, a dry throat or mouth, excessive blushing or stammering, the sensation of your heart racing, upset stomach, and intense fear. It is also possible to experience panic attacks.

What can be done about it?

Counseling for social anxiety usually comes in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). A study published in 2017 found that internet-based cognitive therapy was cost-effective. Online therapy has been found to be just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy in treating a variety of conditions and concerns.

This therapy is comprehensive, and if a person sticks with it, then it is likely to produce positive results—but consistency and persistence are going to be needed. It’s possible that the best solution for a person might turn out to be a combination of both medication and therapy. However, other potentially helpful resources are forums.

There is no guarantee that any medication or form of treatment is going to work for someone with social anxiety, but it can certainly be surmised that a person who is willing to work on the issue has a better chance of beating it than someone unwilling to try and confront the problem. Support groups have emerged online as a proactive way for people to address their symptoms. These communities can be effective in that they allow those who live with this to find help in a safe setting with others who understand their experience and will validate them. 

The safety of being unidentified in an anxiety support group

While you could make the argument that most people with social anxiety would do better seeing a counselor in a one-on-one setting, the reality is that that situation may not be ideal for some people. It could be the anxiety itself that it is acting as a deterrent to that scenario. In other words, the very idea of going to see someone to talk about their anxiety might be a situation that’s causing extreme fear or nervousness.

It could be that a person might want to look into joining an online social anxiety support forum at first, and then at a later date—once they feel more comfortable with therapy and the idea of talking in-person—they might feel ready to try some one-on-one therapy. It might be that an online forum is the only kind of anxiety support that they’ll ever want to try. Either situation is fine.

You might progress to a real-life meetup

In the beginning, you may use a social anxiety support forum to talk to other people in the social phobia world or just read posts from people going through similar struggles. Eventually, you may advance to feel comfortable attending face-to-face meetups with others in your area who also have it.

If you Google “anxiety support groups near me,” then you’re likely to find many options. A public health institution might be a sponsor, while others might be more informal—simply meeting places for like-minded people who happen to have the same concerns and are pursuing self-help options. You might use an online forum until you’re ready to take this step, or you may decide that you want to keep things in the realm of cyberspace. Either option is fine. Again, no two people are alike, and what’s perfect for someone else may not work for you.

Find the combination of techniques that works

The right treatment for social anxiety is different for everyone. You might create an account in an online forum, attend a local group that meets somewhere near you, or decide to look into individual therapy. Medication may also be helpful, so talk to your doctor or therapist about it.