Social Phobics Anonymous

Social Anxiety Anonymous/Social Phobics Anonymous Social Anxiety Disorder Coping Print Social Anxiety Anonymous/Social Phobics Anonymous By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Updated on February 23, 2020 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Tom Merton / Getty Images Social Anxiety Anonymous/Social Phobics Anonymous is a non-profit organization offering telephone and in-person support groups following the 12-step program adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Participation in meetings is free other than any long-distance charges incurred while attending telephone conference calls to the United States. A Typical Meeting Whether in-person or by telephone conference call, a typical meeting begins with readings from social anxiety literature. Participants are then invited to share personal experiences while other members listen or offer encouragement and support (but not advice or their own experiences). No registration is required to attend a meeting and there is no requirement to share. Meetings end with casual discussion among participants. Do You Need to Be Religious? You do not need to be religious to participate in the 12-step program, however, participants are asked to define their own version of a higher power. This can mean God, the wisdom of the support group, or any other symbol of positive strength in your life. Atheists and agnostics are welcome to attend meetings. Who Can Attend a 12-Step Meeting? Meetings are open for those suffering from any manifestation of social fears, including: Social anxiety disorder (SAD)Avoidant personality disorder (APD)Chronic shynessParuresis What If There Are No Local Meetings in My Area? Local meetings can be started by anyone experiencing problems with social anxiety; you dont need to have overcome your problems or have experience leading a group. The emphasis of meetings is on fellowship and community, and your job will largely be that of moderating the activities of the other participants. The 12 Steps   The 12 steps involve having faith in a higher power (as you define it) to enable you to overcome the struggles related to your social anxiety. As part of this process, you will take an inventory of your weaknesses and strengths, write a purpose statement for yourself, and envision the life that you want. You will also make amends to those that you have harmed in the past, including yourself. Finally, you will maintain contact with your higher power and carry the message of the group to others experiencing difficulty. 12-Step Programs Working for Social Anxiety There is no scientific evidence to support 12-step programs in the treatment of social anxiety. Studies have instead looked at the influence of having social anxiety on the effectiveness of 12-step programs for alcoholism. One study showed that those with social anxiety were less likely to acquire a sponsor. It is unclear if the same problems might arise for those doing 12-step programs specifically for social anxiety. However, it is reasonable to assume that participating in a group setting may be difficult for those with severe anxiety symptoms. Try One of the 7 Best Online Anxiety Support Groups A Word From Verywell It is important to remember that those running 12-step programs are not trained, mental health professionals. 12-step programs for social anxiety might be best used as an add-on to regular treatmentâ€"a way to share experiences with others going through the same thing.