Hey Alison, I am on the list for a support group that starts up in September. It is run by the Anxiety Disorders Association of Manitoba (ADAM) - it was their website that originally led me to this one thru a link. If you haven't checked out their site yet I highly recommend it. You could even consider the support group in September.
The support group begins as a CBT program - walking and guiding you thru a CBT process week after week. That's the biggest attraction for me. Then, once you have completed the CBT program in the group, there is an ongoing support group for people who have "graduated" from the program. That is very appealing to me because I think, at least for the first few years after (I pray) getting this thing under control, I really want a way to stay with the program - keep the CBT strategies and techniques fresh in my mind. An ongoing support group of people who are all there for that same reason sounds like a really good idea.
I know what you mean about the potential for increased anxiety - when I imagine the atmosphere in a room full of people with our disorder - I can't imagine a more tense or anxiety-charged place to be! But, I think it's likely that those initial anxieties will pass as people become comfortable with each other. I am hoping there will be more benefits than drawbacks, but if I find it is just too negative an experience then it's really as simple as not going anymore, and finding a different alternative.
Caitlin
