Phobic Anonymous?! anyone heard of it?

Question

hey guys someone refered me to something called phobic anonymous like an alcoholic anonymous, but i dont have the number or anything, i was wondering if anyone ever heard of it and if so can give me the 1-800 number? thank you and also i only want serious replies cause until you had a phobia you dont know how badly it can ruin your life.

Answer 1

yes, it's based on Marilyn Gellis's book "12 steps of Phobic Anonymous"

Answer 2

I found this quite easily on the web:
http://www.healsocialanxiety.com/

The telephone meetings sound like a good idea, but I wish it wasn't a 12step group. From personal life and as a peer advocate for the dually diagnosed, I've "come to believe" that 12step group are the wrong approach for people who are dealing with mental health issues. The steps are the same in all those groups with some minor rewording. The first step is always that you are powerless. The second is that God can fix you. The third is that you will let God fix you.

It's fine if you have God in your life and use your faith to help you, but Free Will means that you have to do the work, that you can't demand miracles.

Best to do a little research on social phobia and know what you're dealing with. Here's a good start:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/socialphobiamenu.cfm

Answer 3

There are several places they meet. This site offers many different cities. If yours isn't there, you can google phobia support groups and others will be displayed.

Hope this helps.

Good Luck

Answer 4

i have never heard of a Phobics Anonymous. they're probably pulling your leg.

try therapy.

Answer 5

I searched online and can't find anything. Good luck in your search

Answer 6

I have no clue. I hope you find a way to cure it

Answer 7

Maybe it is fear of loosing identity,or fear of something that you can't define?I don't know.

Answer 8

CURRENT SUPPORT GROUPS:

Face to face support groups (local and in person):

New York City: Group now forming in Manhattan. Click Here To Contact Steven For More Info About NYC Social Anxiety Support Group.

BOULDER, COLORADO: Time, Location and Directions to Boulder Support Group.

DENVER, COLORADO: Group now forming in Denver Click Here To Email For More Info (be sure to mention that you are seeking a group in the Denver area).

Houston, Texas: Click here to find out more about SPA Social Anxiety support groups in Houston

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Click here to find out more about SPA Social Anxiety support groups in Oklahoma City

Logansport, Indiana: Click Here For Time and Directions and Contact Info For Social Anxiety Support Group in Logansport, Indiana

**We Also Have Free Telephone Conference Call Support Groups That Can Be Reached By Anyone Anywhere With A Phone. (See below)


Or-- Want To Start Your Own Local Support Group? (See Link lower down on this page for help with that).



HOW TO ACCESS FREE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL SUPPORT GROUPS:

We use a free conference calling service to join together for this one and a half hour support group that meets every week. **All our meetings are free (we don't charge anything and we make no money from this) -- but you may have to pay your own long distance charges, using your own personal long distance company, to reach the free conference calling service to join the phone meeting.

**You Do Not Need Any Special Function On Your Phone To Join This Conference Call**

**YOU DON'T HAVE TO TALK, YOU CAN JUST LISTEN: You do not have to talk in the groups if you are unable to-- you can still gain a lot from these groups just by listening. **Eventually, as the healing of the SPA program helps you, will be able to try talking and you will benefit even more.**


The Conference Call Support Groups Meet By Telephone Every Week:

Wednesday Telephone Conference Call Support Group: (Meets at 6:00PM Pacific Time, 7:00PM Mountain Time, 8:00PM Central Time, and 9:00PM Eastern Standard Time USA-- **Times for other parts of the World can also be provided).

Saturday Telephone Conference Call Support Group: Meets at 2:00PM Pacific Time, 3:00PM Mountain Time, 4:00PM Central Time, and 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time USA-- **Times for other parts of the World can also be provided.

The telephone number and access code for our phone support groups is (currently this is the access code, CHECK BACK FOR CHANGES) 1-603-310-4838 ext 336 (IMPORTANT: Wait until recorded voice finishes playing before entering 336 or you will end up in an empty conference call). Also-- please enter 336 S-L-O-W-L-Y or the system might also drop you out. (We don't want you to miss out on it). **And yes it is a free service (you get no weird conference call charges for using it) **But it does take a normal long distance call to reach it (average long distance charges are 5 cents a minute so the whole conference call --one support group session-- costs under $5 in normal long distance charges). And if you have a cell phone and you call during your free minute times, it's completely free. **We can help you start a local (face to face) group as well (scroll down for more info or scroll up for a list of already existng local groups).

ALSO IMPORTANT-- Read About Silences Below (This will help you to access the group-- sorry about the RED but we don't want you to miss this important point)--
Because these are social anxiety support groups sometimes (not always) we'll hit a natural silence in the conversation. If you call in during a silence, don't hang up right away. If a silence lasts up to 4 minutes, the group moderator will speak up and get things going again. If a silence lasts more than 4 minutes, hang up and redial. If, after a few attempts, you still are having difficulty accessing the conference call, call Phil at 1-(303)-404-3747 for help with the service Or Click Here To Email [e-mail] (or copy email address and send from any other email service) for tech support with the conference call.**Be sure to include your area code as well as a good time to get back to you.

You never have to talk. It's OK to just listen. **If your anxiety makes it difficult for you to talk on the phone, you can still get a lot out of the groups by just calling in and listening. We are happy to have you do that. These groups are gentle and non-pressuring and very healing. You never have to talk until you are ready to try (even if that takes weeks or months).

TIPS FOR THE TELEPHONE GROUPS: There can be up to a 45 second silence before you are connected to the telephone conference calls support group. Press the number '5' on your phone to mute yourself and always press the number '4' before you speak. (We'll also remind you of this in the call). Also, occasionally during the group there can be a 3-4 minute pause in the discussion (perhaps because the participants have social anxiety). **Don't give up on the group if you hear a silence-- the group moderator will step in after 3-4 minutes and read aloud from valuable books on Social Anxiety recovery until people are ready to resume talking.

Also-- keep in mind that regular attendence will provide the best help for your Social Anxiety problems. (We don't take attendence, though-- you come when it works for you and that's fine). **However-- people who get the best results make one or more groups a part of their life on a long term basis (Recovery from social anxiety is a gradual process for most of us. **We do get better though, and there are people in the groups who have gotten rid of the large majority of their symptoms. So it does work!)

We can also help you start your own local (face to face) Social Phobics Anonymous support group, wherever you are in the world. Starting a group is easy, fun, and is a great way to recover from social anxiety or phobia while making friends with other social anxiety/phobia sufferers (see links below).

Below is a listing of our online information and literature. Feel free to print out, study and share with others--

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions About Social Phobics Anonymous

For Those With Social Anxiety Who Are Already In Other 12 Step Programs

Learn About How To Start Your Own Local Social Phobics Anonymous Support Group

SPA's Free Online Library Of Pamphlets and Literature: Our Study Guide For Our Support Groups-- We Periodically Add New Materials To This Section.

Suggested Group Meeting Format: Gives You An Outline Of What You Can Do Each Week In Your Already Started Group, Includes Helpful Tips For Moderating Social Anxiety Support Groups

Social Anxiety and The Power of Trust: How To Heal Yourself And Eliminate Social Fears

How To Use the Act of Helping Others To Reduce Social Anxiety: Social Anxiety and Service

Social Anxiety and Positive Thinking: How To Avoid Pitfalls and Make This Tool Work For You Instead of Against You.

Bullies and Social Anxiety: How Shy People Can Attract Abusive People And How To Respond Constructively and Effectively