Social Phobics Anonymous

[lily]

Has anyone ever heard of this? I didn't know a 12 Step Program existed for social phobia until I stumbled across this link on another webpage. This site says the organization serves people with Social Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Shyness and Avoidant Personality Disorder. They even have meetings by conference call and offer to help anyone anywhere set up an SPA meeting where they live. It's all volunteer run and free like the other 12 Step Programs.

www.geocities.com/seanphilib/ColoradoSPA.html

[lily]

I noticed no one has responded to this post yet. Does that mean that no one here is interested in a Social Phobics Anonymous group where you live? If you are interested or uninterested, I'd like to hear why if you're willing.

I find the idea of meeting people face to face who have similar problems interesting. Maybe because I've had good experiences with therapeutic groups in the past. At least I wouldn't have to worry about them thinking I'm too weird to talk to hopefully. And we'd have something to talk about. Might even make some friends, who knows? I've been thinking about starting a meeting and I'm wondering what everyone's reactions would be if one was started in your area. Thanks!

[Twice-Shy]

lily said:

Has anyone ever heard of this? I didn't know a 12 Step Program existed for social phobia until I stumbled across this link on another webpage. This site says the organization serves people with Social Phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, Shyness and Avoidant Personality Disorder. They even have meetings by conference call and offer to help anyone anywhere set up an SPA meeting where they live. It's all volunteer run and free like the other 12 Step Programs.

www.geocities.com/seanphilib/ColoradoSPA.html

Lily, I checked the sight out.... (I should have probably bout a week ago, it seems not my intentions to wait this long... my apologies, there).

I think that would be at least a reference for the folks I posted about reaching out for local support groups. It may not be totally in person (on the phone)... But, I feel would be a great place to start.

Plus.... ITS FREE!

Thanks for sharing it with us!!

[lily]

They do have conference call meetings people can utilize from anywhere, but they also offer to help anyone who wants to start up a local meeting where people would meet in person. That's the option I'm interested in for myself. If I do it, then people in my area with any form of social phobia could meet in person. Scary but intriguing thought.

[lily]

Well, this sure doesn't seem to be a very popular idea. Good to know.

[riskybusiness]

i think its a great idea, i know im very much alone with my problems. sitting in a room with people that were going through the same thing would be very reassuring

[lily]

riskybusiness said:

i think its a great idea, i know im very much alone with my problems. sitting in a room with people that were going through the same thing would be very reassuring

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. It seems this would be a kind of experience that money just couldn't buy. You could have an opportunity to speak openly about what's bothering you. Get support from people who really understand. Get practice communicating with people face to face without all the usual high expectations to worry about. Eventually even form relationships. I know it's maybe hard to imagine getting started, but I think it could be a really valuable experience that could really make a big difference. I haven't given up on the idea. The website said that it's not unusual for the person who starts up a meeting to sit alone for awhile before other people start coming in. So I would expect that going in.