Anxiety Attacks / Phobias / Agoraphobia

Self Help Clearinghouse

National network. 197 groups. Founded 1980. Promotes the diagnosis and treatment of all anxiety and related disorders including obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Listing of state-by-state local support groups, brochures, information about anxiety disorders, local listing of healthcare professionals providing treatment for anxiety disorders and a national listing of clinical trials provided free.
Write:
Anxiety Disorder Assoc. America
8730 Georgia Ave., Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Voice: 240-485-1001
Fax: 240-485-1035
Website: http://www.adaa.org
Verified: 11/5/2007

National. 7 groups. Founded 1983. Self-help group that uses specific behavioral and cognitive techniques to help people recover from anxiety disorders. Relaxation techniques, small group discussions and field trips. Group development guidelines ($2.50). Informative facilitator's manual ($15). Subscription available for our weekly handouts ($30/yr).
Write:
Agoraphobics in Motion
1719 Crooks
Royal Oak, MI 48067-1306
Voice: 248-547-0400
Website: http://www.aim-hg.org
E-mail: anny@ameritech.net
Verified: 4/30/2007

International network. 35 affiliated groups. Founded 1996. Provides emotional support and information for persons with paruresis (shy or bashful bladder). Supports research to develop effective treatments. Information, referrals, literature, phone support, workshops, conferences and advocacy. Assistance in starting similar groups.
Write:
Int'l Paruresis Association
P.O. Box 65111
Baltimore, MD 21209
Voice: 1-800-247-3864 or 410-367-1253
Fax: 410-367-1254
Website: http://www.paruresis.org
E-mail: ssoifer@ssw.umaryland.edu
Verified: 5/4/2007

International. 640+ groups. Founded 1937. Mental health self-help organization that offers weekly group meetings for people suffering from various emotional and mental conditions. Principles parallel those found in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Teaches people how to change their thoughts, reactions and behaviors that cause their physical and emotional symptoms.
Write:
Recovery, Inc.
802 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60610-
Voice: 312-337-5661
Fax: 312-337-5756
Website: http://www.recovery-inc.org
Verified: 11/5/2007

Online Resource. Founded 1994. Support for shyness. Offers information on understanding shyness, tackling shyness, job hunting, overcoming shyness and developing assertiveness. Includes shyness/dating, children who are shy and general self-help.
Website: http://members.aol.com/cybernettr/shyness.html
Verified: 11/11/2007

International. 143 groups. Founded in 1957. 12-step group that offers mutual help, friendship, community, education and leadership. Focuses on recovery and personal growth. Open to all including those with mental health issues, depression, anxiety, grief, fears, etc.
Write:
GROW in America
P.O. 3667
Champaign, IL 61826
Voice: 1-888-741-4760
E-mail: growil@sbcglobal.net
Verified: 10/1/2007

Online. Support group for persons who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, hypochondria or any other form of anxiety. Focus is on recovery and day-to-day survival with a 'can do' attitude.
Website: http://panicsurvivor.com/
Verified: 4/27/2007

Online. Offers online scheduled support group meetings, forums and email list. Addresses various types of anxiety, panic attacks and phobias.
Website: http://www.paniccenter.net
Verified: 4/27/2007

Online. Mutual help group created by and for fearful fliers for their own recovery. Message boards, information and a variety of resources.
Website: http://www.takingflight.us
E-mail: info@takingflight.us
Verified: 5/2/2007

International. 8 groups. 12-Step. Both face-to-face and telephone support groups that provides support for people who suffer from social phobia or social anxiety or shyness problems or avoidant personality or paruresis. Assists others in starting local groups. Support group meets by telephone Mon., 1pm; Wed., 9pm and Sat., 5pm (EST).
Voice: 605-475-8500 (recording asks for conference room number - enter 5802474. If experienceing problems getting through to conference phone number please e-mail or call 303-404-3747)
Website: http://www.healsocialanxiety.com
E-mail: healsocialanxiety@hotmail.com
Verified: 11/13/2007

National. Founded 1992. Pioneering group that offers mutual support for professionals and parents of children with selective mutism or social phobia (a psychiatric anxiety disorder in which children are unable to speak in social situations). Includes social anxiety and shyness. Also open to adults who had or have outgrown, the disorder. Provides information and online support. Website contains DSM revisions, research studies, printable brochures, literature and publications.
Write:
Selective Mutism Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 13133
Sissonville, WV 25360
Website: http://www.selectivemutismfoundation.org
E-mail: sue@selectivemutismfoundation.org or carolyn@selectivemutismfoundation.org
Verified: 9/27/2007

Online. Devoted to educating and promoting awareness on selective mutism and other related childhood anxiety disorders. Online support group for parents, teachers and professionals dealing with selective mutism.
Write:
SMG Support Center
23 N. Market Street
Muncy, PA 17756
Website: http://selectivemutism.org
E-mail: sminfo@selectivemutism.org
Verified: 4/30/2007

Online. Founded 2004. Support for anyone with an extreme phobia of dentists or specific dental fears. Information for dental professionals and dental students with an interest in dental anxiety management. Various message boards, including one for mutual support and another to 'Share Your Success Story.' 'Ask the Dentist' section and information on coping with different fears associated with dentistry.
Website: http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/
Verified: 6/11/2007