[SheHulk07]

I've been going to this group for over a year and half, and it's a pretty closed group. It's been relatively the same people, besides a new person here and there. The group is supposed to be for depression, but no one talks about SI or SH. It's not structured at all, you're just expected to jump in at any time and talk, which is incredibly hard for me with my anxiety. One person may talk for 30 minutes while another may only get 5 in an hour and half group.

I have things going on that I'm really struggling with, but don't know how to bring it up in the group or if I should. And if I don't, I really have nothing to say, so I just sit the whole time being quiet.

Halfor the time I don't know why I go to this group, but I know it's partly my fault for not speaking up. I just don't know how to get past that anxiety and say something that I've been hiding from anyone besides.my therapist for the past year.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Group is first thing tomorrow morning.

[therapyishelping777]

I was talking to my T about a group I was struggling with for the same reason, I felt I didn't matter as much too, there were definate monopolizers. My T said, why didn't you bring that up to the group, how you were struggling not being able to share . I wish I still had been in that group to do that. I love groups, but some group dynamics are different and more of a struggle especially if its less of a format and more open.

[Waterbear]

That sounds really hard, I couldn't do a group. I struggle enough opening up individually.

[ScarletPimpernel]

I don't have much of a suggestion. I remain pretty quiet in my group, but it's a DBT group so there's no real processing. More teaching.

I was, however, in a process DBT group. We had a new member and she monopolized all the conversations. It came around to my turn, and I told the T that I probably shouldn't talk because it wouldn't be quick and easy. He encouraged me to still talk. So I told the group I felt isolated, ignored, and talked over. BIG MISTAKE. The girl freaked out. I got verbally attacked by her. Now the T sucked and didn't control the situation. There's more to the story, but that was the last night of that group. The T canceled the whole group permanently. My advice is to not say if you're being talked over or someone is monopolizing the conversation unless you have a good group leader who can handle it. But from the sounds of it since there is monopolizing going on, you don't have one...

To start a conversation, I would raise my hand even if I looked stupid. That's just me. I would say I want to talk about something, but am nervous and I could use the support of the group. That's a good way to lead and get the attention on you.

[SheHulk07]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

I don't have much of a suggestion. I remain pretty quiet in my group, but it's a DBT group so there's no real processing. More teaching.

I was, however, in a process DBT group. We had a new member and she monopolized all the conversations. It came around to my turn, and I told the T that I probably shouldn't talk because it wouldn't be quick and easy. He encouraged me to still talk. So I told the group I felt isolated, ignored, and talked over. BIG MISTAKE. The girl freaked out. I got verbally attacked by her. Now the T sucked and didn't control the situation. There's more to the story, but that was the last night of that group. The T canceled the whole group permanently. My advice is to not say if you're being talked over or someone is monopolizing the conversation unless you have a good group leader who can handle it. But from the sounds of it since there is monopolizing going on, you don't have one...

To start a conversation, I would raise my hand even if I looked stupid. That's just me. I would say I want to talk about something, but am nervous and I could use the support of the group. That's a good way to lead and get the attention on you.

It would definitely be my last group if it ended that way. Before when I started, it was a different T and it was more structured where we went around and checked in.

I like your suggestion of just saying I have something I want to talk about, but need the support of the group and need help.