A free self-help group for people suffering from anxiety and phobias is due to start in Gosford on Wednesday, May 27.
If you are genuinely afraid of spiders or snakes, or you begin to break out in a sweat when you have to meet new people, you may be suffering from a phobia or anxiety. Panic attacks, social anxiety and specific phobias are some of the forms of anxiety that will be explored by the group. The group will meet weekly to follow a structured self-treatment behaviour therapy program run by trained volunteers.
Group members will be guided step-by-step through a program of gradual exposure to help overcome their fears. They will be taught how to face up to and control their anxiety, to keep a diary and how to deal with possible setbacks. The advantages of joining a self-help group include the opportunity to connect with others facing similar difficulties in a supportive and safe environment.
Email, 28 Apr 2015
David Jevtovic,
Mental Health Association NSW