[sidony]

In my ongoing saga of group therapy, I have to say: Lately it's been helpful. I was able to talk more when I was really depressed, and that did help. Last session I shut up, but it wasn't me just shutting down. It was that I didn't really need to talk and so listened to other folk. Weird that it's suddenly helpful. I had completely decided to quit and then it was immediately helpful for a few sessions. T says I periodically distance myself and then become part of things again and then go back to the distancing thing, etc. Dunno why I do that but it's probably what I do in general.

Okay but this week is gonna be weird: There's a new member coming! No one new has been introduced since I started so I don't know how that'll feel. I'm a bit nervous at the idea.

In general, I'm all over the place emotionally these days. I'm very depressed a lot of the time though therapy helps. And sometimes I'm surprised by suddenly feeling good for a while. Weird.

Sidony

[bipolar_bear]

I am so glad that group therapy is now helping. Sometimes it takes a while to really feel comfortable and able to take the support others are giving and to reciprocate to others. It is so good to hear that you are starting to feel this way.

I hope the new member just slides in and "fits" with everyoene. Maybe you could be one of the ones to make them feel comfortable.

BB

[Perna]

I remember how with group, the last session for someone who'd decided to leave, they would open up more than they had the whole time they'd been in group :-) Could be you opened up because of your depressed feelings of "might as well, nothing else left".

New members always made me feel like I belonged more to the group since I'd be an "old timer". Remember your first week? There was a guy in my group who looked a whole lot like one of my brothers and had the same mannerisms and "expressions". All he said to me my first week was, "So, you're the new kid on the block?!" and I felt so welcomed and at home :-) We became good friends and also kind of dated and when I took him to my parents' house my parents and stepsister and nieces and nephews instantly pointed out to me how he looked like my brother :-) which was a nice confirmation for me.

[sunrise]

That's great group therapy has been helpful recently. After all you've written, who woulda thunk? But the good thing is, it's helping! And now you will no longer be the newbie. You can help show the new person the ropes and make them feel welcome. They will look to you as a role model for how "group" is done. No pressure, no pressure.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
sometimes I'm surprised by suddenly feeling good for a while

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">Hold onto those times. So good that the depression isn't 100%.

Yeah. First time I felt connected to the others in group was when a new person showed up!

:-)

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
sunrise said:

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
sometimes I'm surprised by suddenly feeling good for a while

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">Hold onto those times. So good that the depression isn't 100%.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

That piece is so important. There are times when I am depressed that I completely lose the ability to laugh or smile, or break through it in any way. Then there are times in which there can be even small glimpses of feeling okay-- sometimes that means it is breaking up, other times it is just comforting to know that pieces of 'me' are still in there somewhere.

I'm glad you are benefiting from the group. Hope your job is going well.