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Old Feb 17, 2015, 01:56 AM
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HCarom HCarom is offline
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So I have been going to this one therapy group for several months now that is aimed for trauma and anxiety. It is a little awkward for several reasons. One is that everyone is at least 25 years older than me (I'm in my late 20's). More troubling is that usually when I go to these groups, if I was feeling, from 1 best - 10 worst, like a 4 for anxiety, I would leave feeling more of a 6 or 7. I just triggered by the way the group goes like there are some people who become hysterical on a frequent basis or have other things they share that just really trouble me and just make things worse.

I am on the fence about going to this group this week as it usually sets me off. I am just feeling conflicted about what to do. Sometimes this group bothers me in the way that some people say what others should do, like "you should..." when I really want is "When I feel... I do ..." and it is just so hard to get what I need out of this group. I just do not want to feel like I am giving up on this group. The therapist has talked about making sure we don't trigger each other but it just still is happening and it hurts.

Has anyone else been in a experiences that relate to mine? If so, did you do anything to resolve these problems? If so, what?
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  #2  
Old Feb 17, 2015, 11:04 AM
stopdog stopdog is offline
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I know I would not do well in a group therapy situation. If it is not helping, could you take a break or quit?
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  #3  
Old Feb 17, 2015, 11:11 AM
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ThisWayOut ThisWayOut is offline
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When I was bothered by something in a group I was attending, I spoke to the T about it. Group shouldn't be so triggering and judgemental that it makes you constantly uncomfortable to return. That said, I know I sometimes interpret anger and judgement where there is none, so getting a reality check from the group T helped me a lot...
If that is not a possibility, or not something you feel comfortable doing, can you address it in group maybe? There's also stopdog's suggestion of taking a break for a while or quitting all together.
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Old Feb 17, 2015, 01:26 PM
Anonymous100163
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Can you talk it over privately with the therapist? Maybe you are not the only one feeling and thinking this way. You won't know unless you bring it up. Maybe the problem isn't yours alone or the group itself. Maybe the problem is the person triggering you. or, maybe this is not the right group for you.

I hate making decisions, they can be tough sometimes. getting others views can only help
  #5  
Old Feb 17, 2015, 03:19 PM
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growlycat growlycat is offline
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It may just be a bad fit for you. I agree talking to the group T about your concerns and if there is a more suitable group for you (keep in mind though T is probably looking out for the health and stability of the group, not neccis. your needs. So T may talk you into staying.)
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Old Feb 17, 2015, 05:25 PM
SkyscraperMeow SkyscraperMeow is offline
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Group seems like such a weird concept to me. I mean, if you have a problem what on earth are ten other people with the same problem going to do for you? Maybe if it were ten other people who had gotten over the same problem that would make some kind of sense, but putting ten anxious people in a room and expecting anything other than a magnification of everybody's problems just seems odd to me.

If it's not working for you, try something else. There's always something else.
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Old Feb 17, 2015, 05:31 PM
Anonymous50005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SkyscraperMeow View Post
Group seems like such a weird concept to me. I mean, if you have a problem what on earth are ten other people with the same problem going to do for you? Maybe if it were ten other people who had gotten over the same problem that would make some kind of sense, but putting ten anxious people in a room and expecting anything other than a magnification of everybody's problems just seems odd to me.

If it's not working for you, try something else. There's always something else.
A well-designed group can be quite helpful. I was in a very helpful group set up for women survivors of child sexual abuse. One of the most valuable lessons I learned by being in group was empathy for myself. I realized if I could have empathy for those other women, it made no sense that I was unable to have empathy for myself - that I still blamed myself for what had happened to me. It helped me face that reality and was a significant marker in moving forward in my healing. Those interpersonal connections can go a long way. It does take a well-led, cohesive group to be effective though.
Thanks for this!
SkyscraperMeow
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