Posted by Phil on May 18, 2002, at 20:09:11
In reply to Re: Group therapy » Mark H., posted by Dinah1 on May 18, 2002, at 18:22:16
I was in group for a little over a year Therapist's have tried to talk me into it before but I didn't want anything to do with it.
I gave it a good shot but was the only one in the group with major depression. I had a few inspirational moments but no new revelations. I've done individual on and off for a long time. The total purpose of group is to get an individual to deal honestly and more effectively with others and, especially, being able to show ALL your emotions.
It was $45.00 a week whether you show or not.
There was no one in this group that I felt a close attachment to..like real life.
I went to a Recovery Inc. meeting last year and it was definately not for me. Kinda bizarre, IMHO.
I went to Al-Anon and ACA meetings for two or three years. I learned A LOT at Al-Anon.
In group I realized I wasn't going to really open up for anyone there and was sick of therapy in general. I was isolated for years and to hear the others and their troubles with lovers or spouses didn't mean anything to me. Felt like I was in the wrong room. At one point, I realized how lucky I was to not be in a relationship and I told them that.
I guess I left because of fear and a kind of hopelessness some of us depressives feel 24/7.
All the tools are there to get better and if one commits to improving their life, it can be very helpful. I do think that in individual, you can only get so far. In group, the therapist can say things more directly and the dynamics in the room
can change fast.
I would still recommend it to others and to give it 6 weeks. Everyone is petrified the first meeting or two but it passes when you realize that every human on this planet has hard problems to deal with and that we often make mistakes.
Hope this made sense.
poster:Phil
thread:3
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/27.html