ADAA also offers free online peer-to-peer communities.
The groups are not held at specific times.
The program doesnt use labels like “addict” or “alcoholic.”
Mental Health America
Instead, it talks about changing self-destructive habits that can come from both addiction issues and anxiety.
But they also explain that addictive behavior creates new problems and makes existing ones worse in the long-term.
SMART Recovery focuses on teaching healthy coping skills that work.
ADAA Online Support Group
Meetings address present-day events and the causes of self-destructive behavior.
Members arent required to revisit the past, which might trigger someone dealing with anxiety.
SMART Recovery groups are available via online video or in-person.
SMART Recovery
Online meetings are offered throughout the day almost every day.
And since group leaders are located around the world, meetings take place over a variety of time zones.
Each meeting is educational and free of charge.
7 Cups of Tea
Its site hosts forums to help people dealing with issues such as anxiety and depression.
7 Cups of Tea also provides opportunities to speak with someone one-on-one.
you’re free to be connected to a trained volunteer free of charge.
TheTribe
Trained listeners are available 24/7 to support you when you need someone to talk to.
Access to support groups is free of charge.
They also report that individuals who have social anxiety have found The Tribe to be a safe social outlet.
Daily Strength
you could post in a group forum or you could chat live with group members in chat rooms.
The site boasts over 98,000 Tribe members.
You may access their services via your desktop or mobile devices.
SupportGroups.com
The anxiety forum is active every day and the site tells you how many members are currently online.
Its free to sign up and participate, and you’re free to do so anonymously.
The site also offers a variety of resources for anyone who finds themselves in crisis.
Cecilie_Arcurs / Getty Images
It’s worth noting that the forums are not moderated by anyone at Daily Strength.
Instead, the site depends on members to report any instances of abuse.
There are administrators who have the ability to ban members who are behaving inappropriately.
Simply create a username and password and youll be ready to participate in the online forums.
Forum posts may be text-only or it’s possible for you to also add a picture to your post.
Members will also be able to see your recent activity and when you were last active.
FAQs
What Are Anxiety Support Groups?
Anxiety support groups are a way for individuals to come together and discuss their shared experiences with anxiety.
Some groups are for specific types of anxiety, like social anxiety or PTSD.
Others are open to people with any key in of anxiety.
Members may meet in-person according to a specific schedule, like one time per week.
They may also share resources with one another.
How Are Anxiety Support Groups Structured?
Cecilie_Arcurs / Getty Images
In-person groups usually have a facilitator who runs the group.
Quite often the facilitator is a volunteer who also experiences anxiety.
Some groups may have a mental health professional running the group.
Online groups tend to have a forum moderator (or several moderators).
Moderators are usually volunteers who have personal experience or an invested interest in anxiety.
Online groups are usually open to anyone who wants to join.
Individuals can usually read and leave messages at any time of day or night.
Some forums have rules that must be followed, such as no selling products or posting spam.
Moderators may monitor the content and delete messages that violate the rules.
Individuals who consistently break the rules may be banned from the group.
Is an Anxiety Support Group Right for Me?
Support groups are often a key component in a comprehensive treatment plan.
Ask your physician or mental health provider if a support group might be a good addition to your treatment.
Individual therapy, medication, or a combination of both may also be used to treat anxiety.
How Much Does It Cost to Join a Support Group?
Most support groups are free of charge.
Some online groups may charge a small fee to maintain their websites.
But the reasons for these fees are usually stated.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
“Substance Use Disorders.”
Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dialogues Clin Neurosci.
2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow
