Discussion Please share your experience with group therapy

[FTL.Wanderer]

If you've participated in any kind of group therapy--whether led by a specialist or something informal--what was your experience? Are you glad you participated? What would you change if you could do it all over again?

 

[Empty Smile]

I can't say I'm glad I participated. Sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers and talking about my issues, is not something I was thrilled with. It's not their business to know why I've been committed. If I choose to disclose why I'm there, it should be my choice, not because the specialist tells me I need to talk about it in front of everyone.

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

I did group therapy for about a month every weekday morning at an outpatient facility. There were maybe 10 - 15 of us in a room, led by a counselor.

Basically we talked about what our day was like yesterday (since we started at 9am). It was pretty structured - everyone got a turn for about 15 minutes each, and we had to stick to a certain format. We had to list our short term goals, what we did that we felt was constructive, what we had been feeling etc. At the end of each person's turn, others could ask them questions if they wanted.

As such it wasn't a terrible experience but it was a bit surreal sitting there with people you don't really know and trying to get support. Although I suppose that's not too unlike a forum environment like this.

And while it kind of felt good to talk sometimes, it wasn't all great. Like there was usually some dipshit who took up other people's time with their own problems, or else would have a strategically timed breakdown in order to get maximum attention. It felt a bit infantile in that respect.

 

[FTL.Wanderer]

I can't say I'm glad I participated. Sitting in a room with a bunch of strangers and talking about my issues, is not something I was thrilled with. It's not their business to know why I've been committed. If I choose to disclose why I'm there, it should be my choice, not because the specialist tells me I need to talk about it in front of everyone.

I didn't realize they forced you to disclose your issues... That seems like a violation of privacy to me. :(

I did group therapy for about a month every weekday morning at an outpatient facility. There were maybe 10 - 15 of us in a room, led by a counselor.

Basically we talked about what our day was like yesterday (since we started at 9am). It was pretty structured - everyone got a turn for about 15 minutes each, and we had to stick to a certain format. We had to list our short term goals, what we did that we felt was constructive, what we had been feeling etc. At the end of each person's turn, others could ask them questions if they wanted.

As such it wasn't a terrible experience but it was a bit surreal sitting there with people you don't really know and trying to get support. Although I suppose that's not too unlike a forum environment like this.

And while it kind of felt good to talk sometimes, it wasn't all great. Like there was usually some dipshit who took up other people's time with their own problems, or else would have a strategically timed breakdown in order to get maximum attention. It felt a bit infantile in that respect.

Would you say overall it was helpful? Or was it a neutral activity in terms of effects on your emotions and choices?

 

[AveryConure]

I honestly wished there was one for dissociation around my area but all they seem to have are the usual AA and some for Asperger's that I know I won't benefit from.

In a hospital setting it depends though. The last time I was in inpatient I felt like I actually got some helpful info out of it but like AFFU said sometimes you're going to have those assholes who try to hog up everyone's time. Or in a hospital those who were clearly psychotic or seriously not in their right minds would interrupt a lot which can piss a lot of other people who are actually trying to get help off.

In the adolescent wards I remember they were clearly worthless cause a lot of the above happened and the nurses always thought they knew more about your problems than you. At least in the adult wings it depends if your hospital is decent or not in order to get anything from them.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

It was a disaster for me, I'm still in a funk 10 months after it ended with 2 stints in Psych.
Still want to go medieval on the therapist

 

[moodygrl]

I did a 3 month psychotherapy inpatient program. majority was with BPD, im schizoid. I could relate to some stuff bpd people said but i couldnt trully connect with anybody, which is my general problem. I could mask that before but in therapy its impossible.I ended up being quiet a lot and waiting for the time to pass. Just couldnt .. so it didnt help me in the end.

 

[BPD Barbie]

The idea of group therapy gives me chills. I couldn't imagine trying to sit in a room full of people and work through my shit. I'd instantly become hostile and close up. Hopefully it works for some though.

 

[guacamole]

Went to group therapy for my BPD, it was called STEPPS or something. You meet once a week and go through your «homework» together, and between the meetings there are tasks you have to do. I liked it because there were tasks and spesific things we talked about each time, but the therapist leading the sessions was too talkative, interrupted us etc. so he kinda ruined it. However I am still close with the other group members today :-)

 

[Myforevercharlie]

I hated it the first day, didn't want to go, but... I did a 6 month therapy 3 times a week. I think i learned a lot more by listening to the people around me, then from the actual therapy. It put a lot in perspective...

I left crying, because for once in my life, a group of people didn't make me feel awkward or unwanted.

 

[Squiddy]

I'm currently in group therapy now and we all support each other

 

[silent staring void]

I was in group therapy for depression for a few weeks as a part of an outpatient program. They never really expected you to talk about deeply personal stuff in front of everyone and many people rarely said anything. I guess it was kind of helpful but I never really managed to open up in group or to relate to others. Still it was weird to be accepted as a part of a group and to be taken seriously and think this made a lasting impression on me.
Also we had a group every morning were we would talk about what we did the day before and what we were going to do later. I thought this was kind of annoying bc I just had to tell them I'm a loser with no life everyday. Also it felt bad to be under everyone's scrutiny all the time so this was the only thing were I was pretty glad when it was over.

 

[LoNatural]

It's just a way for the government to gather info on potential dissidents/antisocials/suicidal people. I go there to get some social contact, I always look forward to the next session to rant about my problems and hear other people's rants. It's nice to talk to people I guess, the problem is that you end up relying on them and may speak too much about, for example, plans to ctb. They are just there to become a conforming citizen at least in my experience.