Posted by wendy b. on January 29, 2002, at 13:26:20
In reply to Have y'all ever attended a Bipolar Group?, posted by Krazy Kat on January 29, 2002, at 12:50:16
Kat! Long time no talk! I am thinking about you and the depakote tribulations!
Not a bipolar group as such, but I'm in a group which is kind of interesting. We're all women, I'm the oldest. We all suffer from depression and anxiety, I am bipolar, the rest of the group have: social phobia, dissociation, and cutting. Everyone but me is a cutter, or has been in the past. They also, most of them, go on alcohol binges, which I do not do. I just get in terrible relationships that ruin my life. :-]
I never knew that group therapy, at least the way my therapist runs it, could be so enlightening. It gives me the chance to "practice" how to say things, or control my anger. For example, one woman was berating another for interrupting the flow of the discussion, and demanded that we all come in and DO WORK, dammit, etc. I was BOILING inside. Therapist kept motioning me to shut up, let the other two work it out, etc. Where I would normally just intervene and get all angry and start a fight (I know, it's awful). So I was able to just keep quiet, although it was incredibly difficult, I had to do deep breathing and close my eyes for a while. I learned I didn't have to run to defend, that the woman being criticized could handle herself very well, and didn't need me. And that I could control my anger. Wow. What a revelation.
Anyway, I think it's great you're thinking of doing a group. Make sure the way it's run is completely ok with you, that the rules are spelled out, and that you understand before you commit. Also, just from my experience, I think a woman's group would be best for you, I don't know why, I just get that feeling.
More later? Ask whatever questions you might have, I'll do my best to answer them...
love,
Wendy
> Or depression group? I'm considering this - am not therapy or group oriented but I feel like I need some input into this illness.
>
> Just curious about experiences.
poster:wendy b.
thread:17466
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020125/msgs/17473.html