12 step groups for anxiety?

[Zoecat]

Hello, I have been trying to find any 12 steps groups (like AA) for people with anxiety of depression, in the UK. I haven't found any in SW England - there is an Emotions Anonymous group, but just one group in the north somewhere, but mainly in the US. There is another 12 steps anxiety anonymous group, but again it's in the US. There seems to be 12 step groups for pretty much everything except anxiety and depression for some reason (?) (eg. drugs, alcohol, eating disorders etc). Sometimes I think I should become alcoholic just to get some community support (joke!!).

I have general anxiety which fluctates from mild to really bad, which can turn into depression, periodically. One of the worst things for me is a sense of isolation and being alone, and some kind of informal support community group, - with some positive structure like the 12 steps, i think would be helpful, but I can't find anything like this.

Does anyone know of anything like this?

Thanks!

[Catherine S]

They have everything in the US don't they lol! I must say ive not heard of this in UK. 12 steps...hmm...we could do our own, here's my contribution...

Step 1. Don't drink alcohol whilst having a panic attack :lac:

Step 2 anyone?

[Zoecat]

: )

ah well, i was wondering if anyone else wld find this useful or not...

[Catherine S]

I think people would find it useful, its a shame really.

[Sam100322]

Step 2 don't do drugs except good ones that help you
:-)

[Anna C]

Step 3 Do some exercise that you enjoy everyday.:)

[aprilmoon]

Find a hobby that you enjoy,and relaxes you.:)

[anthrokid]

The reason there are no 12-step programs for anxiety or depression is because they haven't been proven to be effective in clinical populations. Technically speaking, services for mental health can only be offered if they are shown to be clinically effective and reduce symptoms for the client over a period of time. 12-step programs do show results for drug and alcohol treatments - however, no trials has ever shown a significant improvement for anxiety or depression alone.

[Zoecat]

Hi anthrokid, where have you got your information about failed trials for 12 step programmes for anxiety and depression?

In Australia and Ireland there is a 12 step programme for people with mental health problems
http://grow.ie/the-12-steps-to-recovery/

And in the US there is http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/ - a 12 step programme for emotional difficulties inc. depression etc.

I have no idea of the success of these groups.

These and AA groups etc are not mental health services as such (ie. not provided or funded by the state); they are community peer support groups, so clinical trials are not required for them to exist.

I see it as extension of forum's like this, but with actual personal contact with people in your community with a structured positive programme to follow - which you opt to follow completely voluntarily; whilst also helping to reduce isolation, stigma and 'normalise' the widespread problems - a real problem for many with mental health problems.

[anthrokid]

I'm studying/training in my 5th year to be a clinical psychologist. We are required to know evidence-based interventions and practice for all mental health problems, developmental disorders and addiction. We are required to know what interventions are considered clinically effective and those that are not.

Oh yes, sorry for that. I understand that they are community run organisations. I didn't word that very well. What I intended to say was that because of these protocols for mental health services, many organisations (even community ones) would be hesitant to offer a 12-step program because they may be criticised/scrutinised for offering something that isn't considered to work as it's own intervention yet.

I'm not saying that trails for 12-step programs for anxiety and depression have failed, just that to date the trend in research shows that there is no long-term effectiveness of using a 12-step intervention for treating anxiety and depression. It would definitely be a helpful source of extra support to be involved in such a group, but it won't necessarily lead to full recovery without other treatment. Like you said, it's like an extension of this forum where people can interact with eachother and understand what is happening for them and feel less stigmatised. Sorry, in my reply I was referring to the use of a 12-step program to treat depression/anxiety, not as a supportive factor.

[Zoecat]

Hi A, thanks for your reply. Yes, I don't know if it would be a cure as such, but helpful for some people. I don't think there is any one thing which is a 'cure' for mental health problems - usually takes a variety of help from different places (social, professional, medical, individual), depending on the the individual. I think I was coming from the angle of community/social support, as mental health problems can be so isolating, and can be hard on families of those suffering, which can make things worse. I'm speaking from my own experience really, and what I thought would help me, after chats with people who have used AA groups.

Anyway, good luck with your studies, it's a long haul training to be a psychologist!

[anthrokid]

Yes, now that I know what side you were coming from I do agree. Such a group would be great in terms of supporting people with depression/anxiety. There should be support groups for depression/anxiety in different regions, however they aren't likely to be in a 12-step format. There are several mental health organisations in my region that provide group-based therapy for sufferers - the format of such sessions is more of a group support setting than therapy. There may be some such services in your area that aren't advertised online; however, generally GPs and other mental health services have details of these if you were interested in enquiring.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Hi Zoecat,

There are some in the UK, they are run by charities. In Staffordshire (now extending into the Derbyshire border) there is one called Changes (Google Changes Stoke On Trent to easily find them). They are linked up with other services, I know they are under the same bracket as the charity providing CBT for GP referrals in the same city.

I attended the walk in sessions for over a year and they were very similar to AA as there was a alcoholic their who attended both to cover boths sides of his issues. They were very informal and the whole charity is staffed (and was started) by current or recovered sufferers. It's free or you can pay a small monthly fee to support them.

They also ran socials and a variety of CBT based courses.

They had a 12 step recovery protocol but it was more a road to wellness, not a course to recover. So, just a guide on how to move forwards.

An interesting philosophy that they promoted was that recovery doesn't mean returning to a previous state. This can be taken either way really, weaker or stringer, but it was aimed to removing the pressure of conforming to a previous way of existing.

I have seen another on in the north somewhere but I can't remember what it was called.

Changes were expanding their services into other counties as they had a vision to bridge the gap between GP's and therapy. These don't take a holistic approach anyway so we are often left hanging when it comes to important factors such as nutrition, exercise, socialising, etc.

It does help. It's different to a forum but it's good for your confidence & self esteem to talk this way. Well, thats what I feel about it anyway. At worst, it helps you socialise and there was no pressure to talk.

You could perhaps contact them and ask about services nearer to you, they may know of someone.