[DayAtATime1]

I go to weekly DBSA group meetings. I have noticed that the depressed people are naturally more withdrawn and do not participate in the conversation as much. On the other hand, people with bipolar seem to always be in the more manic phase, and tend to dominate the conversations. Sometimes I feel like I want to bring this issue up to the group, but don't know how to do so without offending someone. Anyone else feel like this?

Those of us with bipolar disorder have two types of episodes: hypomanic/manic and depressive. Personally, my guess is those with bipolar disorder would be just as withdrawn or just not attend at all while in a depressive phase (symptoms are the same as for those with MDD). What you are seeing is probably more of the hypomanic/manic phase and pressured speech, racing thoughts, etc. are par for the course. We don't have much more control of that than anyone has control of how withdrawn and passive they get when depressed. You can bring it up, but understand the ability to control that is just as difficult as the depressed phase.

People with bipolar disorder will absolutely understand depression though. Can you perhaps bring it up more in terms like this? "I know everyone here, whether MDD or BP, has dealt with how hard it is to speak up and communicate while depressed. I'm struggling with that right now here in this group. Does anyone have anything to offer as to how to communicate and participate more effectively while in a deep depression? Can we talk about the difficulty and despair we deal with while depressed?" By approaching it that way, it doesn't come off as accusatory, and it will bring up the topic in a way that it can be discussed as a shared commonality without anyone feeling like they are being told to stifle themselves. Might work.

I think the Bipolar group can relate to the people who are solely depressed. So much of bipolar is stuck in the depression. I agree though that that some of bipolar persons - those hypo/manic - tend to dominate the group.

Do you have a timer? Does your group have a moderator? In my own Mood Disorders group, the moderator has to be very good at keeping things on track. It's hard to do. I ocassionally am the moderator. We've had to speak to one person in particular. Gently of course. My usual tactic when a person is running at the mouth is to interrupt and ask if anyone else is experiencing the same. Hopefully this still validates what the individual was saying yet breaks away the discussion.

Immediately following the meeting we break into a more informal social discussion. I'm okay if they are a little more agressive at that time.

It is really important before the meeting that everyone - especially the newcomers - is properly greeted. A good moderator will pick up on what that person might say during that greeting then during the meeting make sure they are introduced and if they wish to input on that subect. Of course, we always advise the person they are absolutely free to participate just by listening. It is quite the dance to coreograph

[DayAtATime1]

Lolagrace - thanks for the wise suggestion! I was so afraid to discuss this in group...

JuatAFriend - no timer, but we do have a moderator. If it wasn't for him querying everybody I probably would have a hard time speaking up. Being the moderator is no easy job...

[dexter]

I think you can bring it up with a facilitator if you think it is a problem. Make sure if you have a topic you tell the facilitator at introductions (and feel free to add it if something comes to mind during the meeting) and make sure he sees your hand raised if you want to say something. In my experience they are good at making sure everyone who has a hand up gets to speak in turn.

If you are talking about people commenting to you when you have brought up a topic there may not be much you can do other than encourage everyone to give you input. If a variety of people raise their hands I would expect the facilitator to make sure everyone has their turn.

If your meetings are not run this way I'd bring it up. However you feel comfortable it can be brought up as a topic in the meeting (make sure it can be talked about so as not to offend anyone) or speak to the organizors privately.

I expect to be heading to my local DBSA meeting shortly.