New to this

[haxton]

Hi

I have a cousellor that I talk to and AA meetings aren't really my thing. I get wicked anxiety attacks when I got to them. Open or closed. So Pat thought this might be another outlet for me on top of seeing her once a week. I don't have a computer at home so I check every couple of days from the library. I'm married with 3 small kids. Not too sure what else to write.

Haxton

[Anna]

Hi Haxton,

This is a great place to find support and inspiration. I hope you keep reading and posting.

[beaglenut]

I started going to AA a month ago. I suffer from social anxiety so the thought of walking into that room made me very nervous. I am though on meds for it that help a bit.

What I did for my first few meetings was only go to Open ones and had my DH come with me. Finally I worked up to going on my own.

It did though also matter what meeting I went to. Some were really friendly and welcoming and some weren't. I went to a lot of different ones until I found the one I go to regularly.

Not to say you have to go to AA, of course. Seeing a counsellor is a good idea. I'm seeing one once a week through an addiction program at the hospital and I find it very helpful.

[Harley3801]

Hi Haxton . . . Welcome . . and I'm sorry your panic attacks are limiting your ability to get to AA meetings. I think Beaglenut might have a good idea . . . perhaps you can take your husband or another family member to open meetings until you get to know a person or two . . . and then you could ask them to meet you at meetings.

For most of my life I had trouble being in groups where I didn't know people. I was fortunate enough to meet two women who came into AA at the same time I did. We clung to one another and went to meetings together all the time. It saved me. It really did. If I hadn't had them, I don't know if I could have continued in AA. People used to call us the Three Muskateers or Manny, Moe & Mac.

I hope you're able to find someone like that for yourself. But in the meantime, keep coming here!! There's always room for one more.

[Fluttering]

haxton

Welcome..So glay you are here...Lots of encouragement 7 support her.
Hope you keep on posting

[indigo]

Welcome to the women's forum, I'm so sorry about your anxiety it's a crippling thing, I have and still do suffer from anxiety. I was helped greatly by a writer called Claire Weeks who has written several self help books on riding through the panic. Hope that you keep posting and you know that we are here for you.

[Digginit]

Went to a meeting today. Felt so at ease while I was there, but for me the anxiety hit BIG time when it was over. Right now it's pretty new to me too. I'm finding that, at least for now, I HAVE to keep a positive frame of mind. I have to believe it is possible to change or I'll shoot myself in the foot or worse. I think that's where some of my anxiety comes from anyway.