[BeyondtheRainbow]

I have to start going to a support group Monday. My therapist has spent many months now being gentle with me but this turned into a pushing, tearful session a few weeks ago and now that I've had time to try to find out all the options in my really rural area (none) and compare other groups to drive times and proximity on certain days I have group attempt #1 Monday.

I did go to a group for a while a few years ago but it was in the city and too far (and expensive) to drive to it. This time I've found something on my therapy day.

I guess the group before was OK but I didn't feel like I fit in well; the others lived closer and would meet for dinner and stuff that I couldn't afford even if I lived there but defintiely couldn't do with an extra trip to the city added in.

I'm nervous about it because I don't really feel comfortable dealing with people who don't know me when I'm mid-episode. I am very flat right now and I feel like I come across as rude. Which I don't intend to be, I just don't feel all that lively. And as far as just letting the depression show, that is so incredibly hard for me to do that I'm not sure I'll ever manage. Although I do in the hospital so in theory another safe place should be the same.

Just interested in whether others go and if it helps.

[Victoria'smom]

I don't sorry.

[BlackSheep79]

I tried and went one time. I didn't feel like I fit in. At the time I had been stable for about nine months and so I felt it was a waste of my time. I also really don't like being around people. I've thought about going back, just waiting for the right time. I'm not in therapy, so I probably should do something. I don't know what I will do, time will tell. I have no advice, just my experience.

[wildflowerchild25]

I have never gone because I'm just too anxious. I WANT to go, but it's just way too much. I feel like if I had someone to go with it would be better. I especially want to go to one for grief but like I said I'm too anxious.

[raspberrytorte]

I don't. If I wasn't so shy I would probably go.

[BastetsMuse]

when I was inpatient I had to attend group therapy, and I really didn't like the roleplaying that the therapist made us do while in group. On the other hand, before I was diagnosed bipolar, I attended AA for a number of years and benefitted from that (after I was on a mood stabilizer no more urge to drink, period; lucky me).

A lot of what you get out of the group will depend on the group, and what you're willing to put into the group. It's okay to sit on the sidelines and just listen for awhile.

[Blue_Bird]

I go to one 2 times a week, it's a fairly small group. It's run at the clinic I go to. We talk, do arts and crafts, etc

[cwgrlyipp]

I'm happy to have 'group' to drop-inn as needed. It's allowed me to indentify with others and know I'm not all alone (feelings, sadnesses and happiness.) I do not meet-up with others outside the group meetings. Our group meets 1x week for 2 hrs and that enough for me... Combined group for depression and BP. fun times as you might imagine...

I moderate one. It is self propelled, (no professionals are present). I think that is what makes it work because without a therapist or psychologist, it cuts down on the anxiety of being judged.

When we do get a new person we welcome them by assigning a buddy. They do not have to participate. In most cases they express great relief at both how easy attending was and that other people do experience the same thing. I myself had felt for the first time some sense of being normal at the knowledge i wasnt alone.

A common experience is that for many who attend it is the only time they get out and only opportunity to get social.

We discourage people meeting for dinner before or after for the very reason it may exclude people. Instead we open up quite early to encourage socialization. But, many have made aquaintances and get together outside of the group.

Weprobably are up to 50 members but at any one group we average 10 to 12

As you can see I'm a huge proponent of support groups. Not all are a fit though. Imyselfcould not do a professionally moderated group.

[Capriciousness]

I tried to go to one that was just peers. The only one I could find in my area.

Quite frankly, I was sooo freaking bored in there that I just honestly couldn't handle it. I don't sit still well.

And this was a loooong loooong meeting where all that happened is everyone went around and had a turn to talk and then it moved on. Nothing else. No convo. nothing. I just couldn't take it.

PLUS there was only like two other Bipolar people.... everyone else was unipolar major depression. And not that that couldn't still be useful but it really is nOT THE SAME THING.

I felt like the other Bipolars were antsy and frustrated like I was.

and then i got nervous because the one bipolar and i talked after and i could smell the mania on her and I was in an unstable place and I just KNEW it would be bad news if we started to hang out together.

I had a strong desire to go out an be crazy with her. The perfect partners in crime.

Not healthy for me.

I think the right group could be very beneficial.

[Treyfrancis21]

I started going to groups after I was diagnosed. It was mandatory if I wanted to be able to keep seeing my pdoc for free. Luckily either I was really messed up or they felt sorry for me because I was able to get into individual therapy after only a few months. I always dreaded going to the groups and often just felt awkward being there. I felt like individual therapy was far more beneficial for me.

[CopperStar]

I went to a support group one time and didn't like it. Everyone just took a turn taking a few minutes to say how they were doing. Except for one person who talked for about 40 minutes straight about things that had nothing to do with BP, I honestly think they were hypo during the meeting because they were all over the place and kind of rude. Other than that it went back and forth between depressing and boring, depending on what people were talking about. When it was my turn to talk, I didn't really get anything therapeutic from it, because it was just a bunch of strangers sitting there, I may as well have been talking to a group of rocks, as far as how it felt to me.

I imagine it's beneficial for some people, but it wasn't for me. I don't regret that I gave it a chance, though, at least now I know.

90min mtg. 60min sharing timed 8min each. 30 minutes discussing prearranged topic. Not including social time which most participate in.

[*Laurie*]

I have attended therapy groups and support groups over the years and usually found the groups very helpful. There's an interesting thing about groups, I've noticed. Each group takes on it's own personality. Sometimes the group really 'clicks'. Other times that special 'thing' just doesn't quite happen. When a group clicks it is a very, very powerful and life-changing experience.

I suggest attending a group that has a strong facilitator, someone who is gifted at facilitating the group. That makes a world of difference.

[LadyShadow]

I have been in many forms of group therapy over the years. Some mandatory, some volunteer. I get a lot out the groups in the beginning, but after a while it becomes pretty boring. Honestly if you want to join a group to help your mental health, I would suggest something that interests you to get your mind off things.

I have recently joined a Spirituality group in my area. We gather in a circle and take turns reading positive spiritual affirmations before each group starts. I find it very helpful to my mental health. Yes, I do not know if anyone in the group has a mental illness or bipolar like me, but all we do is promote positive spiritual things and have discussions based on our individual faiths. I find that kind of group greatly beneficial.

I've attended support groups for 25 years but find them pretty mediocre. The only reason i continue is that i'm already in the drop-in and groups are sometimes less boring than the lounge. The Womens Group i attend usually devolves into a chat about food and food sensitivities which i find deadly boring so i usually end up leaving. Occasionally i will find a good group where the sharing is really emotionally moving but those are few and far between. Usually it's about as helpful as talking to a brick wall.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by PlatinumHeart

I have been in many forms of group therapy over the years. Some mandatory, some volunteer. I get a lot out the groups in the beginning, but after a while it becomes pretty boring. Honestly if you want to join a group to help your mental health, I would suggest something that interests you to get your mind off things.

I have recently joined a Spirituality group in my area. We gather in a circle and take turns reading positive spiritual affirmations before each group starts. I find it very helpful to my mental health. Yes, I do not know if anyone in the group has a mental illness or bipolar like me, but all we do is promote positive spiritual things and have discussions based on our individual faiths. I find that kind of group greatly beneficial.

That sounds awesome, PH.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by whatever2013

I've attended support groups for 25 years but find them pretty mediocre. The only reason i continue is that i'm already in the drop-in and groups are sometimes less boring than the lounge. The Womens Group i attend usually devolves into a chat about food and food sensitivities which i find deadly boring so i usually end up leaving. Occasionally i will find a good group where the sharing is really emotionally moving but those are few and far between. Usually it's about as helpful as talking to a brick wall.

Now, that sounds like a poorly facilitated group. It sounds like a facilitator needs to steer the group back on track, away from trivial chat.

[GemmaTeller]

I had to do group therapy when I once did inpatient and outpatient treatment. I have also tried groups like AA, DBSA, NAMI. I found AA helpful in keeping me sober during and after I initially got out of treatment. I stopped going after a while, it didn't seem to be as helpful and created more stress trying to get to meetings. I couldn't get into the whole "sponsor" thing. The other groups were more often boring. I was disappointed as the orgs sometimes put out good information. It just felt like the same conversation every meeting. I never felt like I had anything to say either.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

This group that I'm trying first is a DBSA group. It is at a hospital with an IP unit and seems to be facilitated by a psych nurse. I'm not sure how I feel about that just because the worst groups I've been to in the hospital have been run by nurses. But honestly that was really ONE nurse and she was not a good nurse so her inability to run groups well wasn't surprising. So obviously this one can't be judged by that experience. I don't know anything beyond that and that it is a DBSA group. My guess is that since it is at the hospital that it is probably going to be at least some people who have been hospitalized/pretty sick recently and that's actually where I fit. I did NAMI's peer to peer a few years ago when I'd just gotten out of the hospital and was in very bad shape and was one of the least able to function people in the class and that was always weird so hopefully this will feel more natural.

For now I'm nervous.

[HeavyMetalLover]

Originally Posted by GemmaTeller

I had to do group therapy when I once did inpatient and outpatient treatment. I have also tried groups like AA, DBSA, NAMI. I found AA helpful in keeping me sober during and after I initially got out of treatment. I stopped going after a while, it didn't seem to be as helpful and created more stress trying to get to meetings. I couldn't get into the whole "sponsor" thing. The other groups were more often boring. I was disappointed as the orgs sometimes put out good information. It just felt like the same conversation every meeting. I never felt like I had anything to say either.

What is DBSA?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Depression Bipolar Support Alliance

[Capriciousness]

Originally Posted by CopperStar

I went to a support group one time and didn't like it. Everyone just took a turn taking a few minutes to say how they were doing. Except for one person who talked for about 40 minutes straight about things that had nothing to do with BP, I honestly think they were hypo during the meeting because they were all over the place and kind of rude. Other than that it went back and forth between depressing and boring, depending on what people were talking about. When it was my turn to talk, I didn't really get anything therapeutic from it, because it was just a bunch of strangers sitting there, I may as well have been talking to a group of rocks, as far as how it felt to me.

I imagine it's beneficial for some people, but it wasn't for me. I don't regret that I gave it a chance, though, at least now I know.

I think we were at the same one

[HALLIEBETH87]

I went to a DBSA support group weekly for a few months before she had to cancel it. It was nice.

[Southernpride]

I tried group once and thought that I was somehow taking on everybody elses problems along with my own. I know it helps to counteract with people in the same position as we are but it just brought about more concerns for me than help.