Support Groups

I really wish there was a forum just for the subject of Support Groups; and for that matter, group therapy too.

Do you attend a Support Group? Is it peer led or a structured setting led and monitored by mental healthcare professionals? How does this make you feel? Is it hard for you to attend regularly? Has it become a social outlet for you? And so on. There is so much I think that could be discussed.

I have moved.

Before the move I attended a peer moderated group. There were no professionals in attendance. The benefits were that I felt far freer to share. The disadvantage was that it on occasion could have used some structure - it was difficult to take back control of a meeting when a participant would go off on a lengthy diatribe. But I felt like these people were my family. I looked forward to attending. There was a social component to doing so.

In my new community the local Mood Disorders Support Group is held at the hospital psych ward. It is moderated - and monitored - by psych nurses. Consequently I feel awkward about fully sharing as I at times feel the psych nurses are watching us intently. Being less open about our difficulties I think is one reason participants are not quite so socially connected. It is also a reason I at times am reluctant to attend. However, there is an advantage to this set up and that is the meetings are structured. There are guidelines governing the sharing process - which means participants are less likely to take over and hog the floor. This is huge.

Still, I really miss the people from my former Group. But I digress.

Thoughts?

I've never been to group therapy or to a support group, so I am not speaking from experience. It seems like both styles have their pros and cons. Perhaps make a pros and cons list and see if there are more pros about the group held at the hospital psych ward than cons. Perhaps that would help you see the potential benefits. It also may take time to feel comfortable sharing. I think that would be the case for me. I hope it works out for you. HUGS Kit

You could start a new group using meetup.com or Facebook or something if the psych ward group doesn't suit you. I don't have any experience with groups myself.

I actually have considered this but I found no place to hold a meeting that is both low cost and without the requirement for insurance.

Don't public libraries often have rooms you can reserve for meetings?

I go to AA and its been a life saver for me.

I attend one thats peer lead and its been great. Everyone is so kind and its nice to be in a place where there is no judgement