I'm a current group member and facilitator with NAMI and before I moved I was a group member and facilitator with DBSA.
1. It helps to remember that everyone there will share some common traits with you and that nobody is going to make you say anything the first time you're there. Nobody is going to make you say anything the fifth time you're there.
2. People are triggered. I have been triggered. You can step out of the room if you want to. At NAMI each meeting is supposed to have two facilitators, and if you appear distressed and leave the room one will probably follow you out just to make sure you're okay. YOU CAN ALWAYS LEAVE.
3. You can share pretty much anything. I think people who don't share are a little shy or a little new to the diagnosis. That's it. Nothing bad.
4. You never have to share your diagnosis. Some DBSA groups are set up with an intro that asks about your diagnosis, but you don't have to share it. NAMI specifically asks us to see the person instead of the diagnosis. It's totally up to the individual whether they share it or not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebicycle
I really need to stop being a chicken and go to DBSA. I would do NAMI, except their schedule is terrible and inconvenient. (Sometimes I wonder if I can complain about that... because I can imagine most people can't attend 1-2pm meetings during the week.) anyways, questions:
(1) how did you overcome your anxiety about going?
(2) did you ever get triggered? How many times? (No need to explain why.)
(3) are you expected to share? What do you think of people who don't share?
(4) did you share your diagnosis?
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