Group therapy/support groups

One of the things I am trying right now is to get out a little more and try to expand my support system by attending group therapy and participating in support groups. I am still really new at this. I've been in group therapy three times a week for a couple weeks, I've attended one support group twice, and I plan to go to another one for the first time tomorrow.

My diagnosis is bipolar/generalized anxiety disorder/post traumatic stress disorder/obsessive compulsive disorder. I have trouble talking about some of the depressive parts of my BP because they are really personal, some intimate to the point that I don't feel right discussing them in front of others, and some that are down enough they may trigger others. The really big problem is my PTSD. It's not usually one of my biggest problems, but when it's bad, it's bad. Some of what I've seen and done and been through is very traumatic or just plain gross. People that are in therapy with me to get help don't need to hear that, and I really worry that I may trigger others if I bring it up.

What do you do in situations like this? You're there to get help, but still feel like you can't let out what you need to for fear of embarrassing or harming others. Pdoc and T are out of the question right now for other reasons. Group is all I have. How do you handle this?

i am very careful in groups, remembering that they, like me, might have control issues, and talk about me, or react negatively to my 'issues'. i believe there should be a sign over every group therapy doorway, saying: Everything you say here will be repeated outside the group~!

that being said,, sadly,, there are many support groups here at PC that are completely anonymous, since we don't know who you are or where you live, and if push comes to shove, you can change your name and start over~!

hope you find what you need~ Gus

My advice is if the group seems wrong for you, then it probably is. Once i was put into a group and it ended up being for people who were court ordered to go to anger management.... I was have sever depression and trauma at losing my son, and of course I was angry, but not in the way those people were angry. I barely ever talked and at the end of every group I would just sit at the table sobbing. Finally I just gave up and it was the right choice.

I've thought about looking for a group that is specifically for PTSD, but most of those are specifically for combat veterans. I respect them greatly, but I have no right to intrude on their group as I am not ex-military. I've seen a lot of the same types of things, and I have been attacked many times, but usually it was by someone drunk or high or otherwise mentally incompetent from illness or injury, not someone trying to kill me on purpose.

I think it's really considerate to be, as you are, so observant and aware of other people's triggers!! I am also. I personally can't do groups coz of anxiety issues first, then next would be triggering other people. U need to think how much, if anything u could get out of a group without talking about triggers. It may still help you in some ways. Is there a professional facilitator to the group? If so u may be able to talk to them privately? Good luck!!! Let us know how u get on!

You know, I found some groups are right, others not so much. In the good ones I felt like I could say anything, it was a comfort to be with folks who had been through the same stuff as I. I really felt that confidentiality was maintained. It was nice.

You may try checking with your local NAMI chapter. They may have some good stuff.

Good luck, I hope your search goes well.

"Maturity is simply a better
grasp on cause and effect"