There is increasing recognition by doctors that social anxiety disorder is a real and disabling condition. A growing number of support groups, associations and sources of patient-related information on social anxiety disorder are now available. Many of these are accessible through the Internet. Links to a selection of the most informative and easy-to-use websites are provided below.
social-anxiety.org can not be responsible for the accuracy/validity of information obtained through the Internet sites listed on these pages, or any sites to which they are linked. The Internet is a dynamic medium so please let us know if any of the links are unavailable or have changed.
While the Internet is a valuable resource of information on social anxiety disorder, if you believe that you or someone close to you suffers from social anxiety disorder, please get advice from your family doctor.
Patient support groups and associations
Support groups
- Contact addresses A directory of contact addresses for national
and international support groups and organisations, including a state-by-state
listing for the USA, is provided at: http://www.open-mind.org/SP/Help/2.htm
- Freedom From Fear An easy-access patient-dedicated site for
this USA-based charity. Information on membership, meetings and events,
and a message board is included. Detailed patient information on anxiety
and depressive disorders is available. http://freedomfromfear.com
- First Steps to Freedom The website of this UK charity for
individuals with anxiety disorders or phobias provides details of
a confidential help line, as well as membership information. Fact
sheets on a range of anxiety disorders and phobias can be obtained
by writing to the organisation. http://www.firststeps.demon.co.uk/
- National Phobic Society The website for this UK-based organisation
is soon to be launched. In the meantime, contact details are available
from: http://www.open-mind.org/SP/Help/2.htm
- South African Depression and Anxiety Support Group The website of this organisation provides information on forthcoming meetings, and a referral list of medical professionals. In addition, a help line, a question and answer section, and quarterly newsletters are available. With over 7000 members nationwide, this organisation provides valuable support for people in South Africa who suffer from anxiety disorders. http://www.anxiety.org.za
Associations
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) This website
provides a comprehensive information database with sections for health
care professionals, patients and their carers. Its focus is on anxiety
disorders. Also included is information on literature and support
groups for patients with social anxiety disorder. Most of this information
is USA-based (regional listings are provided), although there are
links to some similar groups in Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
http://adaa.org
- American Psychiatric Association (APA) This site is an extensive
information resource relating to mental illness, supplying both patient
and professional information. The 'Public information' pages include
details of community activity programmes, as well as fact sheets on
specific disorders including social anxiety disorder. The 'Other organisations'
link contains support group information. http://www.psych.org
- Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association This is the website of the USA Social Anxiety Association. The site contains detailed information on the condition and links to fact sheets, support organisations, and membership details. This site is also available in Spanish. http://www.socialphobia.org
Other sites with general information
- All About Anxiety Part of the USA-orientated Mental Health
Net website, this site is dedicated to public information on anxiety.
It provides information on the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders,
as well as links to support forums and organisations. http://anxiety.mentalhelp.net
- Internet Mental Health An award-winning Canadian website
which describes itself as an 'encyclopaedia of mental health'. It
is aimed at an international audience of healthcare professionals,
patients and their carers, and is available in many languages. Included
are criteria for diagnosis of many psychiatric disorders and detailed
information on widely-used treatments. There is also a magazine, which
includes personal stories of recovery and links to pamphlets and newspaper
articles. The site has a dedicated social phobia section. http://www.mentalhealth.com
- Social Anxiety Network This website provides information
on social anxiety disorder, including real life stories of sufferers,
book lists, and links to associated sites. http://www.social-anxiety-network.com
- Social Phobias (The Royal College of Psychiatrists) The website
of the Royal College of Psychiatrists includes the 'Help is at Hand'
series of patient information booklets. An excellent booklet on social
anxiety disorder is available and can be ordered through the site.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/public/help/welcome.htm
- The Anxiety Panic Internet Resource (tAPir) A great website! This is an upbeat patient-orientated site written by people with everyday experience of anxiety/panic. In addition to providing detailed information on anxiety disorders, it emphasises self-help, and provides further information on the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders. Links to USA-based support organisations are provided. This site is also available in Italian. http://algy.com/anxiety/social.html
If you have any comments about social-anxiety.org or any of the sites we have listed, please email us.