[kj44]

Hi everyone
I'm new here, I don't have any friends
Thinking about going to group therapy, I already go to individual.
I really don't know if I would participate, or not?
Anyone have any experience with this???
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks so much!

Group therapy was perhaps the most important therapy I ever went through. I don't know that I'd go into it expecting to make "friends". Group therapy is very intense with all those personalities interacting. But again, I learned so much from my group therapy experience. You might talk to your therapist about finding the right kind of group for you, what your expectations are, etc.

[kj44]

Thank-you Chris! My therapist did suggest it. I guess I'm really intimidated by it!
I'm sure your right about the friend thing, just lonely!
Thanks again
Kelli

[PT52]

Originally Posted by kj44

Thank-you Chris! My therapist did suggest it. I guess I'm really intimidated by it!
I'm sure your right about the friend thing, just lonely!
Thanks again
Kelli

Hi kj44, welcome to PC
A lot of us can relate to being intimidated by any kind of social situation. I find it hard to leave the house and hate to make phone calls. One of the things that helps is having friends here - and trust me, if you hang around, you will have friends. Give our social group a try, it's a lot of fun. The link is in my signature; glad to have you!

[sundog]

Hi Kelli. Welcome! I've done quite a lot of group therapy and overall I found it a helpful experience. At times I have found it stressful. Obviously it's very different from individual therapy. But if there is a good therapist leading the group, then it can be a very important adjunct to individual therapy. Good luck!!! Hope to see you around here too! PC is a little bit like group therapy, but more fun!!!!!!!

[ladyjrnlist]

Don't expect to make "real friends" in group. I spent six weeks in daily groups during a partial hospitalization. It's very intimate and you bond very fast. But, and the therapists prepared us for this, rarely will you stay in contact after groups. In fact, they discourage socializing with group members outside of therapy.
That said, it is very different from individual as the group does most of the work and the therapist acts more as a guide. I found it very helpful because while I was getting help, I was able to help others and realize I wasn't weird in the way I felt. And, I could be quiet and just listen. Can't do that so much in individual.

[blueoctober]

Hi kj44; I did an intensive group therapy program when I was first diagnosed. It was 8 hours a day/5 days a week and was run by Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Workers. It changed my life. What I like about group therapy is often the issues we have in our personal relationships are experienced in group therapy and it gives one a chance to work through it with the guidance of mental health professionals. What I didn't like about it is I am highly sensitive and reactive to people's moods and energy, so at times it was overwhelming. I would suggest trying it and if the first group doesn't work out perhaps look at trying a different group. In my experience the key to a successful group is the professionals who run it and the group's participation.

As far as forming friendships it normally isn't encouraged in a group therapy situation. What I have found helps for finding new friendship is volunteering, joining a sport or group activity and there may even be social groups in your area. I know when I was inpatient there was a group of people that were diagnosed with various mental health concerns who met once a week to do a social function like going to movies, restaurants etc. This group was organized and run by a Social Worker.

[kj44]

Originally Posted by PT52

Hi kj44, welcome to PC
A lot of us can relate to being intimidated by any kind of social situation. I find it hard to leave the house and hate to make phone calls. One of the things that helps is having friends here - and trust me, if you hang around, you will have friends. Give our social group a try, it's a lot of fun. The link is in my signature; glad to have you!

Thank-you PT52
I have attempted to join the group, (yours)! I may try my therapists suggestion? I'm very undecided, nothing new I don't like phones myself, the strange thing is, neither do my children! They make me do it, so, I suck it up most times!Thanks again,
Kelli

[kj44]

Originally Posted by ladyjrnlist

Don't expect to make "real friends" in group. I spent six weeks in daily groups during a partial hospitalization. It's very intimate and you bond very fast. But, and the therapists prepared us for this, rarely will you stay in contact after groups. In fact, they discourage socializing with group members outside of therapy.
That said, it is very different from individual as the group does most of the work and the therapist acts more as a guide. I found it very helpful because while I was getting help, I was able to help others and realize I wasn't weird in the way I felt. And, I could be quiet and just listen. Can't do that so much in individual.

Thank-you Ladyjrnlist,
I like that part about being quiet and listening, I think I can do that!
I am realizing now, you can't make friends there. Seems like people here
are really nice and thoughtful!

[kj44]

Originally Posted by sundog

Hi Kelli. Welcome! I've done quite a lot of group therapy and overall I found it a helpful experience. At times I have found it stressful. Obviously it's very different from individual therapy. But if there is a good therapist leading the group, then it can be a very important adjunct to individual therapy. Good luck!!! Hope to see you around here too! PC is a little bit like group therapy, but more fun!!!!!!!

Thank-you Sundog
I'm getting lots of support here, and I appreciate it! Feeling kind of good!

[kj44]

Originally Posted by blueoctober

Hi kj44; I did an intensive group therapy program when I was first diagnosed. It was 8 hours a day/5 days a week and was run by Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Social Workers. It changed my life. What I like about group therapy is often the issues we have in our personal relationships are experienced in group therapy and it gives one a chance to work through it with the guidance of mental health professionals. What I didn't like about it is I am highly sensitive and reactive to people's moods and energy, so at times it was overwhelming. I would suggest trying it and if the first group doesn't work out perhaps look at trying a different group. In my experience the key to a successful group is the professionals who run it and the group's participation.

As far as forming friendships it normally isn't encouraged in a group therapy situation. What I have found helps for finding new friendship is volunteering, joining a sport or group activity and there may even be social groups in your area. I know when I was inpatient there was a group of people that were diagnosed with various mental health concerns who met once a week to do a social function like going to movies, restaurants etc. This group was organized and run by a Social Worker.

Thanks for your input! With all the support I'm getting, I guess I should go!
I will try, my best.
Funny you should say that about volunteering, I actually tried, and was asked to come in to a local clinic, but in the end I wasn't ready
I did see some brochures at therapists office that intrigued me, I'll keep working at it!
Thank-you again
Kelli

[SylviaPlath]

Originally Posted by kj44

Hi everyone
I'm new here, I don't have any friends
Thinking about going to group therapy, I already go to individual.
I really don't know if I would participate, or not?
Anyone have any experience with this???
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks so much!

Hi and welcome! I go to individual therapy but never could adjust to group. On the other hand, I know people who get much more out of group than out of individual therapy. I think it would be best if you tried it out to see what you think. Good luck!

[blueoctober]

Kelli, I'm glad you're going to join the BP Social Chat. I love that group.

[Ryask]

Hey i am not too sure if you know but there is a chat open to all the users of the whole site. Also check out the calendar there are group events where everyone gets together to talk about things with a chat leader. of course there is also just normal meet people and talk about whatever rooms as well. So if you looking to maybe make some friends or get a bit more support i would encourage the chat.