The Group Experiences:

The following is a short example of the experience people have had while attending or following The Group Treatment Programme.

• When I started going to the social anxiety group meetings it came as quite a surprise to see my fellow group members. I don’t know what I had expected but I certainly hadn’t expected a bunch of people who looked and behaved so normal. That consequently showed me that I can’t be so bad either.

• It was also good going to the weekly meetings, the two hours of the week where I could be myself without the fear of blushing or making a fool of myself in any other way

• The scary part of course is to talk about yourself and your feelings, stuff you would usually try to put in the back of your mind, but I guess it is a first step and despite the fact that my social anxiety will probably never leave me I can learn to deal with it!

• This is just a few words of encouragement for the weeks ahead. The fourteen weeks went very fast and the best I can say to you is to take in every word and to listen very carefully

• I have been on many courses like this but I have made myself work very hard on this one and I’m sure it has paid off. There may be some weeks that you feel tired and not in the mood for going but shove yourself out that door and once you get there you will feel much better

• The more you put in the more you will get out of it

• I am really happy I did this and it has helped me in many ways

• I have been able to talk about my shame in front of other people and they have not rejected me. In fact, quite the opposite happened. They have been so supportive and understanding, as well as accepting me completely as I am. This has had a liberating effect on me

• I see how other people suffer from the same problem and how hard they find it. I don’t feel as isolated or as on my own with my problems

• The help I have been given in seeing how my mind works has been great. The help, advice and encouragement in starting to deal with my social anxiety has been just wonderful and all done with great kindness

• I am able to talk about my inner feelings and thoughts more. I am not as frightened of doing so as I used to be