"CBT - Overcoming Worry Course"

As a young adult with quite severe depression and anxiety, I was fed up with constantly feeling low. I reached out to the Wandsworth IAPT program and was referred to a group CBT course called "Overcoming Worry". As someone who deals with immense SOCIAL ANXIETY, I asked if I could be prescribed a more one-on-one approach, but was denied. My assessment doctor told me that I would not be required to speak or share anything in this class and that they believed it would benefit me by attending. So, I mustered up the courage and attended my first class. Within minutes of the class beginning, the instructors informed us that we would be doing an "ice breaker" in which we all had to say our names along with the people who went before us. Now being hesitant to go to this group in the first place, I sat in the back corner. This meant that I was one of the last people to introduce myself AND I had to remember everyone's name who went before me. I was mortified. Especially since it took such effort to make it to this group in the first place and my anxieties were already soaring through the roof. I was shaking and sweating as I tried my hardest to remember everyone's names and it took me well over half of the first class to calm down from the anxiety I felt from that one moment.

Begrudgingly I went to the next class, and then class after that, because I am desperate for change and I don't want to feel like this anymore. Since the doctor has made it seem like there are no other options available to me at this point.

Well today's lesson I did find somewhat useful, I was once again put into a place where I was forced to publicly share my opinions in front of the group. And may I remind you that this was something I had been told WOULD NOT HAPPEN! At the end of the class the instructor made us all tell them what value we got out of today's lesson, in front of everyone. Now for some this may be a breeze, and no big deal. And yes, I do believe that feedback is important. But when you're a person suffering with heavy social anxiety, the last thing you want to do is talk in front of anyone you don't know, especially a group. I think your instructors need to learn some empathy in regards to this and not force individuals to speak unless they volunteer to. As soon as I left today's session I started bawling because I was so anxious and mortified. I'm extremely fearful to attend the next session as I'm worried I'll go through the same thing. I am incredibly disappointed by the lack of understanding I have seen from the instructors in this program. You have to remember that you have people facing all kinds of issues and challenges and you can't just assume that everyone wants to share or speak. At this current moment I am feeling at my wits end and am ready to give up.

Imagine someone is afraid of water. Would you try to resolve their fear by just throwing them into the sea?