support group experiences?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-19-2004
support group experiences?
5
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 4:47pm

i'm thinking of going to a support group put on by the MDDA.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2002
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 5:55pm

I don't know if it is fair of me to post this, but I personally have not had good luck with bp support groups. In my experiences, it seemed that most people in those groups just kind of gave up on life, not wanting to work or do anything other than sit at home. I didn't fit in with that philosophy, because I am a fighter who wants to live life, including work and all that wonderful stuff.

That said, perhaps you should give them a try. Your group might not be like that; I might have just had bad luck...

Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 9:20pm

I would like to try to go to a support group in person, too, but I haven't made the time. But then again I think I'm still in denial that I have BP. I think you should go and try it out. If you don't like it you can always leave. If you do go please tell us how it went.

Vista


crazy

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 10:47pm

it was recommended to me also to go to group therapy. i was extrememly sick at the time and they wanted me hospitalized but i was very frightened to go there because i'd heard so many terrible things about institutionalization (is that a word lol?) they suggested group. everyone that ive spoked too about the experience had nothing but good things to say about it. i can understand you being frightened, this is all new to you. anyone would be frightened. don't think of it as an agknowlegment (sp?) of having BP. look at it as a step to help yourself feel better with people who are going thru the same thing.

As for the prayers and positive thought thing, hey no sweat! you got it baybee! do whatever it takes to help yourself. go, and if you feel its not for you, don't go but make sure you discuss your decision with your docs. but please, give it a try, you never know it might be the best thing you could have ever done.

good luck and all my prayers are with you!

valerie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2003
Wed, 06-08-2005 - 1:09pm

Hi, Beth! I've been in a support group for 4 years now. Not for BP, for something else, but it's a group is a group, right? It's been my lifeline. When I first went, I did't want to. I was shaking and afraid and I was sweating so much I was afraid they'd be afraid to sit next to me. And then I walked in to the group. It was right after 9/11 and the ladies were discussing their thoughts and feelings about it. I didn't know much about what happened (I was overseas and didn't have TV or radio, so I didn't see it or hear it at the time) and I said it didn't really affect me because I didn't know much about it. One of the ladies jumped down my throat! But I continued going. And that same lady that jumped down my throat later helped me a tremendous amount! It's basically like a live version of this board...we all help each other and support each other. Sometimes we get upset with each other, or just upset in general, but we're all here for that, too. It can be a really great experience, if you're willing to eventually open up and share a little bit. My suggestion is to go to the group. Get a feel for it. Get to know some of the other people. You don't have to jump right in and share your life story. You can feel free to sit quietly and observe at first.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck with it! And like Valerie said, discuss your decisions with your docs. They're there to help you, not judge you. If they judge you, then you need to bring it to their attention and probably start looking for a new doc! And please feel good about posting here as much as you want/need. We're ALL here for you no matter how long you've been here or how much you've posted!

~ Aislinn

~ Aislinn
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 9:01pm

Beth,


I was in a GREAT group that unfortunately wasn't able to survive long after the hospital program that originally sponsored it folded.