[maniceuphoria]

I am a 29 years old male who has been living with bipolar disorder and anxiety for 14 years. I try to go out to my local support group as much as I can. The problem that I have is each support groups are a hit or a miss. Sometimes I feel okay, but most of the time, I come back feeling a lot worse than I came in to the support groups. I honestly don't like sharing about my personal life issues. It is a lot easier listening to other people's problems than talk about my own. The reason I feel this way is because most of the time I share, there are insensitive people making rash comments about my problems. They like to voice their opinions, that are hurtful rather than helpful. I only go to these support groups, when I am feeling better emotionally. When I go there when I am tired emotionally, it turns out to be a complete disaster. Does any body feel this way about support groups? I go to DBSA btw, I prefer not to say where though.

I've never been to a dbsa group so I dont know how they are run. Doesnt sound good though. I have experience with nami support groups. They are peer led but the peers go through an intensive three day training and are usually people who have been part of the group for a while, stable and a good contributor. However, sometimes there can be people who come to the groups who are strong personalities and not all group facilitators handle them the same. Some are better than others but the overall rule that should be abided by is absolute respect for one another.
You might be able to tell I was a facilitator. I would have been very disappointed with myself if I had allowed a group member to leave feeling as you have. Perhaps you could speak to the leader and let them know how you feel? I would almost guarantee if you feel this way, other members do too.
The whole point of the support group is for you to leave feeling better than when you arrived. That is my opinion.

[Marshellette]

The people in my last support group were very hostile. Each group is different for sure. I left when one starting talking about the Klu Klux clan and another described stabbing herself with a pencil. However another group I joined went to restaurant outings and was very positive. It all depends.

[swheaton]

I haven't been able to find a support group in my area. Sometimes I wonder if I should start my own. From what I have heard from others, group sessions are just what you said: hit or miss.

[gayleggg]

I understand. I went to a Panic/Anxiety support group one time. I had trouble keeping up with the conversation. Obviously, I was anxious anyway. The group didn't make it any better some people would talk almost the entire time. I didn't go but a few times.