Am I ready for group therapy?

Hi, I just scheduled an appointment to talk with someone about getting enrolled in some group therapy, and I'm scared that I'm not even ready to go to something like this yet. I fear the fear mostly. I hate feeling like I can't breathe, or like I'm going to throw up or pass out. I have medicine to help, but it doesn't feel right just loading up on pills when that's why I'm there is to learn to feel better without taking medicine. I'm especially worried about reading out loud in a group setting. Also I do not retain information well when I'm super anxious, and I'm afraid that I will go and not learn anything because I can't relax, listen and be in the moment. Am I ready for this? I'm kind of in a comfort zone right now, and part of me is scared to get better.

[Agora1]

Hi deepthinker, if we waited until we were ready to step out of our comfort zone,

it would never happen. It is scary to anticipate any new change in our lives, including

getting better. We don't know what it will feel like and so we fear it.

Remember that with group therapy, the others will be experiencing the same

hesitations and fears as you. You will not be alone in what you feel. Believe in that

there is strength in number. The first step is always the hardest but it leads to

success. Use breathing techniques to calm your anxiety in a group setting. Read

slowly and pause to absorb what you are reading. I was once the same.

Fear of Fear is just one of the ways anxiety keeps us stuck. Don't allow it to do that

to you. Let us know how you do in your first session. And don't forget....Breathe xx

[BlueSky125]

Maybe just approach it as something you are going to try one time. You can also tell yourself that you can leave if necessary. See if you can talk with the person that runs the group, you could ask questions and tell them your concerns. That may relieve some of your anxiety.

[Hidden]

Well I guess if the first step is the hardest, I've already done that by calling.

[Hidden]

I'm having trouble with what is rational and what isn't with this Coronavirus because I don't know if what I am hearing is correct. I feel like it would be best to go get some food and hunker down for awhile. Being afraid of germs is one of my main fears and seeing other people concerned about it makes it all the more real. And that is exactly why they lie to us about it. I don't know what to believe.