Anxiety is a common mental illness affecting 40 million U.S. adults, or 18.1% of the population. It can manifest in different forms. Medical professions often breaks anxiety disorders down as the following:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Experiencing excessive worry about a number of issues such as money, health, family, work, and other personal or societal concerns.
Panic Disorder (PD): Experiencing seemingly out-of-the-blue panic attacks, an intense response produced by the body.
Social Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by an intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively viewed, or rejected in social situations.
Specific Phobias: Having strong, irrational fears towards a specific object, place, or situation such as fear of flying(aerophobia), fear of blood(hemophobia), and fear of being alone(autophobia).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Experiencing compulsions to perform certain activities to ease self-anxiety or suppress negative thoughts.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Experiencing flashbacks, nightmares or negative memories of traumatic events.
Support groups are safe spaces structured to allow participants to share personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies and information about symptoms and treatments. The discussions often are facilitated by an experienced leader or a medical professional.
People who experience anxiety disorders often appreciate gaining a sense of control over their lives. A sense of empowerment can often drastically reduce anxious feelings. Support groups can allow us to improve an understanding of the mental health disorders and greater control over one’s health problems, providing tangible benefits to people experiencing mental health issues.
Benefits of participating in support groups can include:
Reducing feelings of loneliness, isolation and stigma
Getting practical advice or information about treatment options
Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
Talking openly and honestly about your feelings
Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope
Learning about health, economic or social resources
Benefits of online support groups can include:
Faster time to get help, skipping appointment wait time
More frequent or flexible participation
A cost effective way to see a licensed mental health professional
A degree of privacy or anonymity comparing to local community support groups
Opportunities for people in areas with no face-to-face support groups
You are not alone. Herd is ready to support you.