support groups

[vibrant]

support groups.

do you go? can you stand them? are they helpful? anyone want to share some good and/or bad experiences so that we can learn something?

 

[vibrant]

my worse experience was when i went a women-only mood disorder support group. this would include post-partum depression, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, the whole gamut. i was the only bipolar in a group of 5. the facilitator seemed to have expected more, from the amount of chairs set up to her reactions, and the low turn out seemed to have caught her off guard. her style of just letting conversation flow didn't suit a group of mostly newcomers who weren't particularly keen on sharing. she couldn't adapt, and didn't take on the lead. awkward silences reigned, and participation felt forced. my mood: a bit depressed.

the best was my first and was only for depression/bipolar. not only was a friend there, but the facilitator allowed people who just wanted to float around, just being there was enough for them. there wasn't pressure to participate. and she was adept at bringing up relevant topics, gained from our introductions, and leading the conversations until we were actively engaged. my mood: a bit depressed

those are the only two i went to. on one hand, i figure that you shouldn't go unless you want to provide some support and participate, but on the other hand, sometimes just being there should be enough.

 

[4childofgod]

I just talked to my counselor about going to a bipolar support group! I thought what could it hurt people would understand because they would be suffering similar things.
I am trying to find one.

 

[NewCovenant]

I did not have good experiences w/group. Mostly because they are a "mixed bag", as our friend said above. Just about everything is in there and you have no control with it. Also, it's a secular group and you really can't talk about spiritual matters, which is what I have found most helpful. In the hospital, they make you go to group, and of course, it is beneficial its own way.

At this point in my treatment (what, like 15 years after my original diagnosis and about 20 years after initiating therapy), I see no benefit for ME in group. But again, that's me. For someone newly diagnosed and just starting to go through the STUFF of BP, it may be helpful, but remember they discuss a lot of worldly/flesh stuff, and there is no accountability, so if you have been acting out and need someone to say, "You need to stop that behavior, because it's wrong, or it is sinful," it just AIN'T gonna happen. Because, of course, it's a secular group.

 

[isaiah5213]

i have found that i am loathe to admit i am bi-polar. i take the medicine, it stabilizes me. and as long as i act normal, i don't want anyone to know i am not....

and that's because i hear so many people around me making fun of someone, or talking bad, or when they are just angry, or crying--for even beneficial and/or valid reasons, people around them discount their feelings and thoughts by saying: "she's/he's bi-polar, you know..." "oooohhh..." others say... and it seems to completely invalidate the situation at hand....


sigh. i am resigned to the fact that i can't control how much i get ticked off, or sad, or afraid at it all...

 

[vibrant]

i LOVE what i see with my support group in my new city. it's like old friends checking in with each other. you're able to talk about whatever is bothering you, not feeling like you've to put on a show.

 

[Alive again]

Group-I have only tried a couple, other than the mandatory in the hospital (2) I have never been a group person so it is a challenge for me. I tried going to a Christian Support Group, but there were not enough people going to it an dit folded. : ( So I went to open diagnosis. We wewnt around and said how things were going for us if we chose to and if we chose for input we were able to ask and then we took a break and then we had a talk about a topic like "Coping Styles", etc. It was okay, but it was not my cup of tea. I find my support group through good friends I have (most with mental illness issues) and 2 forums online. I know for some , group is their lifeline. I also did try a second group and loved it, but it folded over the summer (very small). All I can say is try it a few times and decide for yourself whether you like that particular group. Facilitators can make a lot of difference. And I agree, I owuld perfer a faith based group if possible, but the ones I went to that weren't, I could sure spend a lot of time praying for the others while they shared!!!!