Group experiences?

Under*Over · Feb 15, 2019 at 11:07 AM

So someone suggested on here a while back to email about groups in the area. I did, didnt get responses for a while but yesterday I did. So I am going to try it- at least once.

Im a little afraid. Ive done groups before- and they always sort of made me feel worse. But I think maybe I can get something out of it this time. Seems like the group might be a better fit.

But Im still scared. I know nothing really bad can happen but... its a vulnerable thing. Im afraid Ill be overwhelmed and go kinda crazy.

So my question is... any of you do groups? Do they help? What are they like? How often do you go? What is expected? How do you feel about groups?

Blue_Bird · Feb 15, 2019 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Under*Over

So someone suggested on here a while back to email about groups in the area. I did, didnt get responses for a while but yesterday I did. So I am going to try it- at least once.

Im a little afraid. Ive done groups before- and they always sort of made me feel worse. But I think maybe I can get something out of it this time. Seems like the group might be a better fit.

But Im still scared. I know nothing really bad can happen but... its a vulnerable thing. Im afraid Ill be overwhelmed and go kinda crazy.

So my question is... any of you do groups? Do they help? What are they like? How often do you go? What is expected? How do you feel about groups?

I've gone to groups often because I was in a Day treatment program at the clinic I go to for a couple years and basically every three months you pick a few different groups to attend and it ran in cycles. I found them helpful because I was comfortable with everybody there and it was good to get out of the house and have in person support. I went to different types of groups there such as coping with voices, art therapy, budgeting, grief and loss, CBT, and ones related to eating disorders.

I've never gone to any groups outside of that though I've considered it. I can't really find any around here but in general I think if you find the right one they can be very helpful.

sarahsweets · Feb 15, 2019 at 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Under*Over

So someone suggested on here a while back to email about groups in the area. I did, didnt get responses for a while but yesterday I did. So I am going to try it- at least once.

Im a little afraid. Ive done groups before- and they always sort of made me feel worse. But I think maybe I can get something out of it this time. Seems like the group might be a better fit.

But Im still scared. I know nothing really bad can happen but... its a vulnerable thing. Im afraid Ill be overwhelmed and go kinda crazy.

So my question is... any of you do groups? Do they help? What are they like? How often do you go? What is expected? How do you feel about groups?

I do not know if AA counts but having a common issue is what stopped me from drinking.

Under*Over · Feb 15, 2019 at 08:04 PM

Thanks guys yeah. Im going to give it a try... Im a little afraid Ill freak out there but. If that happens it happens and life will go on.

If I dont try then things wont change- and maybe theyll change for the better- I hope so.

Anyways. Thanks guys

~Christina · Feb 16, 2019 at 12:17 AM

I live in a very very rural area.

I would like to be able to go to a group but driving an hour one way just isn’t feasible.

raspberrytorte · Feb 16, 2019 at 11:05 AM

I go to a group every Wednesday. I don't know if it really helps me, but I hope your group helps you.

HALLIEBETH87 · Feb 16, 2019 at 06:42 PM

When we had one closer I went to DBSA and loved it!

Driving now 45 mins each way is just not doable
With my work Scheduke. I miss it.

Under*Over · Feb 16, 2019 at 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

When we had one closer I went to DBSA and loved it!

Driving now 45 mins each way is just not doable
With my work Scheduke. I miss it.

Yeah its through DBSA! Im a little afraid Ill be considered too sick since Im not strictly bipolar But Im willing to try in any case.

HALLIEBETH87 · Feb 16, 2019 at 09:46 PM

Heck no! Everyone is welcome

Wonderfalls · Feb 16, 2019 at 09:59 PM

My DBSA group was pretty much of a mess. There was never a consistent group. The two peer counselors who rotated both ended up seriously manic, with one of them telling us how he was going to make a million dollars and the other one eventually ending up in a permanent partial care facility. It goes without saying that you shouldn't go by my experience. I think things would depend a lot on your peer leader.

I did go to another group moderated by a professional and it was very much better but $20 cash a session, which I couldn't afford.

I went to one AA meeting and it was beyond ridiculous because after all the God stuff all we talked about was whether one of the members should send her daughter to the most expensive school in our city instead of the second most. Really. I was obviously in the wrong part of town.

I still would try a group again and hope for better, but I would want a professional moderator.

Under*Over · Feb 16, 2019 at 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

Heck no! Everyone is welcome

Oh this is good to hear! I was worried. When I tell people, even therapists my diagnosis... I see them get a little nervous. So Im always scared of that because that really hurts. But hearing this helps a lot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

My DBSA group was pretty much of a mess. There was never a consistent group. The two peer counselors who rotated both ended up seriously manic, with one of them telling us how he was going to make a million dollars and the other one eventually ending up in a permanent partial care facility. It goes without saying that you shouldn't go by my experience. I think things would depend a lot on your peer leader.

I did go to another group moderated by a professional and it was very much better but $20 cash a session, which I couldn't afford.

I went to one AA meeting and it was beyond ridiculous because after all the God stuff all we talked about was whether one of the members should send her daughter to the most expensive school in our city instead of the second most. Really. I was obviously in the wrong part of town.

I still would try a group again and hope for better, but I would want a professional moderator.

Yeah Im just going to set my goal to go once or twice just to check it out. If it doesnt seem like it works out no big deal! But I want to do what I can to keep myself doing well- and if this helps I want to do it.

Hopefully it helps!

Im sorry your experience was so poor too. I hope you can find a group that works for you.

HALLIEBETH87 · Feb 16, 2019 at 10:56 PM

We are similar in diagnosis
.

Feb 17, 2019 at 03:16 PM

I used to go to DBSA every week for some years, but situations change. Sometimes you enjoy the groups and sometimes not. It varies by facilitators, members (that change over time), and your own mood situation. There came a time for me when I was just sick of them because I felt so well that I didn't want to hear about mental illness for a while. There was a time when I was hypomanic/manic and I either annoyed or scared people.

Nammu · Feb 17, 2019 at 03:39 PM

I went to a DBSA group back in the day when they were called depression and manic depression group. That was an excellent group. I've also gone to many other groups over the decades, some were helpful and some were a waste of time. I now live in an area without any groups and my hearing has deteriorated to the point that groups are pretty useless. For the most part I took positive take always from most groups. I went to open NA groups because my husband was a user but what I learned was that I couldn't change him, only me. That was a valuable lesson. Keep an open mind and remember you never have to speak, you can always say,pass.

Under*Over · Feb 24, 2019 at 02:33 PM

The group went really well actually. As an update. Hah.

Im going to give it a few more attempts and see where that goes. Everyone was very kind.

Feb 25, 2019 at 10:56 PM

Early in my diagnosis i found support groups to be helpful as a way to meet people with bipolar. Now that i'm 37 years into my diagnosis i don't attend them any more.

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Under*Over Member Member Since Mar 2018 Location: USA Posts: 457 6 177 hugs given	Feb 15, 2019 at 08:04 PM #4 Thanks guys yeah. Im going to give it a try... Im a little afraid Ill freak out there but. If that happens it happens and life will go on. If I dont try then things wont change- and maybe theyll change for the better- I hope so. Anyways. Thanks guys
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~Christina Legendary Wise Elder Community Liaison Member Since Jul 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 22,450 (SuperPoster!) 12 12.7k hugs given	Feb 16, 2019 at 12:17 AM #5 I live in a very very rural area. I would like to be able to go to a group but driving an hour one way just isn’t feasible. __________________ Helping others gets me out of my own head ~
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raspberrytorte Insert Smiley Face Member Since Mar 2015 Location: USA Posts: 5,538 9 4,862 hugs given	Feb 16, 2019 at 11:05 AM #6 I go to a group every Wednesday. I don't know if it really helps me, but I hope your group helps you. __________________ The darkest of nights is followed by the brightest of days.
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,196 19 2,740 hugs given	Feb 16, 2019 at 06:42 PM #7 When we had one closer I went to DBSA and loved it! Driving now 45 mins each way is just not doable With my work Scheduke. I miss it. __________________ Bipolar 1 w/psychotic features or schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety OCD celexa, prazosin, Lybalvi and prn zyprexa and klonopin
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,196 19 2,740 hugs given	Feb 16, 2019 at 09:46 PM #9 Heck no! Everyone is welcome __________________ Bipolar 1 w/psychotic features or schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety OCD celexa, prazosin, Lybalvi and prn zyprexa and klonopin
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,196 19 2,740 hugs given	Feb 16, 2019 at 10:56 PM #12 We are similar in diagnosis . __________________ Bipolar 1 w/psychotic features or schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety OCD celexa, prazosin, Lybalvi and prn zyprexa and klonopin
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Under*Over Member Member Since Mar 2018 Location: USA Posts: 457 6 177 hugs given	Feb 24, 2019 at 02:33 PM #15 The group went really well actually. As an update. Hah. Im going to give it a few more attempts and see where that goes. Everyone was very kind.
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Anonymous41462 Guest Posts: n/a	Feb 25, 2019 at 10:56 PM #16 Early in my diagnosis i found support groups to be helpful as a way to meet people with bipolar. Now that i'm 37 years into my diagnosis i don't attend them any more.
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