Online Organizations and Support Groups

Finding a support group that will help you with agoraphobia can be very worthwhile. It not only enables you to interact with people who understand and are also suffering, but through talking with others we can often learn new coping skills, tools and information. Depending on the severity of agoraphobia, sometimes it can be hard to actually attend meetings that a group may hold in your area, due to this, online groups and organisations can be very worthwhile.

Some online groups may hold chats, or have message forums, others may offer telephone counselling or mailed newsletters. In this article I want to give you information on some groups that I feel do a wonderful job in helping people with agoraphobia. Not only are most of these groups very committed to helping people, but also a lot of them are run by people who have suffered, or are suffering agoraphobia themselves.

Firstly, I would like to suggest that if you can physically attend meetings, or would like information on organisations near you. Contact your local mental health association. Ask them for information, or even just do a community groups search on the internet yellow pages. I have found many groups in this way. Sometimes you can be surprised at how much help there is actually available near you.

However, the first group I would like to mention is Agoraphobics Building Independent Lives (ABIL). This group has their own website which has some wonderful information. They also have meetings in some places in the USA and if you cant find one near you, they give you details on how to start your own group. ABIL also put out a mailed newsletter. See the website for details about groups near you and other information.

There are also very worthwhile chat groups on-line. The best I have found is Araneum Nostrum. It should be noted that there are no professional counselors, nor medical professionals here. But it gives people who suffer from agoraphobia, and other anxiety disorders, the opportunity to interact and support each other. There are many wonderful people here. In Araneum Nostrum there are also weekly meetings, some of these are about certain issues to do with anxiety disorders - such as depression etc.

Another good website to look at if you are looking for online support groups as well as local ones is the Anxiety Disorder Association of America (ADAA). Their web site also gives you the resources to find a medical professional near you who has stated that they are willing to see people with agoraphobia. This helps people with agoraphobia feel as though the doctor, chosen to see, will understand. A common problem with agoraphobics not seeking medical advice can be the concern that they wont be understood, nor be taken seriously.

Last but not least, I would like to suggest ENcourage. Encourage put out a mailed newsletter as well as an ezine. Their site also has a wonderful community, check out their message forum. Just reading through these messages you will find answers to a lot of question you might have about agoraphobia, if not post your own. ENcourage also have articles added regularly and you can also organise to have telephone counselling. They also do a great job at compiling lists of support groups and other information for agoraphobic or people with anxiety disorders.

All of the above sites are basically just personally some of the most helpful organisations or support groups that I have found on the web. Most of them also do work offline in the form of meetings, newsletters and other types of support. If you know of any other wonderful groups, or sites that may help people with agoraphobia. I would love to hear from you so that I can add them to my links list. Just email me the details and I'll add it as soon as I can. You can email me anytime at aphobia@ihug.com.au

I have learnt that agoraphobia can be such a confusing and lonely disorder to live through. Talking to other people who are in the same situation as you, or who understand, can make such a difference. I have met many wonderful people online who have not only supported me, but also taught me a lot. If you're feeling alone with your disorder and have trouble leaving the house to seek support, perhaps try an online group.