I've joined a group a few weeks ago (art therapy). I find group settings tremendously difficult. Due to shyness, but also due to a feeling that this setting is beyond my control.

I know it takes me a long while to adapt to change and to new situations. And I know that whenever I'm feeling shy, other people might perceive this as arrogance and aloofness. So I made a point to tell the others that in new situations I tend to feel rather shy, and that it might take quite a while for me to warm up and to open up a bit more.

So far people in group have been ok. There are a couple who can really annoy me due to various reasons.... I'm not sure what to do about this. What "group etiquette" might suggest.

Things I've found helpful: Feeling a sense of connection with the others. Learning from others, how they deal with situations that I tend to struggle with as well. Having fun with them while paiting/drawing.

The struggles I've had so far with the group have been mostly transference related with the group therapist. I used to have individual sessions with her. And she 'forced' me into this group, because she re-organized her schedule and stopped working on "my" day of the week...