Support groups not recommended in real life

[Sk1n1M1n]

Hi

Has anyone been to those recovery communities in their local area, they are usually eared up to adults with depression, anxiety to meet and socialise with other adults in the same boat?
I would personally wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, they maybe great in some areas but I went three (when I was desperate for friends) and it was the worst mistake ever and I wouldn't recommend the idea to anyone else.

Here what happened, firstly there's the anxiety of leaving your property to deal with, not great (thumbs down) and then if someone turns up expect to be bored out f your head talking the weather and other mindless topics and then expect people to not show up at all. I spent months in the same cycle going to these places hoping things will change and in the ended up more depressed than if I stayed at home all day.
I spent a lot of time crying to a large bag of chips, feeling like a right dumb ass for trusting the CMHT for referring me to these places and honestly the amount of time and money I wasted and what did I have to show for it? Absolutely nothing, no interesting friends to have a coffee with just bulging waistline and half asleep zombie.

So what I am saying is to anyone out that goes to these recovery communities, support group to think twice about going, join a load of local drinkers if that's your thing or the stoners, it don't turn up to groups.

 

[Myforevercharlie]

That sucks!
But in my experience, I didn't want to go to those kind of groups. But they really did help me. To hear and learn from other people's experiences was very interesting and put me "in my place" a few times .

Maybe it's different in your country?

 

[k75]

I've never had good results from support groups. I just can't ever relate to the people that seem to attend them.

I used to go to an anxiety group, but that was kind of a hilarious trainwreck. You know what happens when you stick a bunch of super anxious strangers in a room together? Literally nothing. Everyone was too panicky and anxious to share much of anything.

When I had breast cancer, I was told to try support groups. I was 30 and everyone else was at least twice my age. Everyone was nice, but I couldn't relate to what they were going through. I was depressed and worried about surgery and losing my hair and ever being able to date again, and they were more like, who cares? They had no one to impress, they were married or whatever. We were in different life stages. And the best part is I reminded them of their granddaughters!

So anyway, I haven't had a lot of luck. The best support I've found has been online. Groups and forums like this.

 

[LittleJem]

There was a support group place, but they said I was too high risk to attend due to being suicidal... I was probably 10 years younger than everyone there, but in the worst state. I sat on the sofa for a bit and couldn't speak - and watched everyone else doing their activities. They gave me a support worker for a bit who begged me to go back to the doctor and also called the Crisis Team. Who definitely didn't think I was bad enough (which I already knew...).

 

[Gnip]

If I was a sex pest, I'd join an AA support group to try scoring a hot alcoholic chick, then lie about being an alcoholic. (Actually, I'd memorize the Bible or Book of Mormon, then join local churches. Best pickup books on sexual seduction ever written.)


This website right here is the only support group I've ever joined, and the only one I've ever found worth joining for, you know, actual SUPPORT!

 

[SweetSurrender]

Not much a fan support groups either. Too many bad experiences with them.

 

[Going Home]

These groups have some of the nastiest people around. If you say your feeling suicidal they will say, "BYE" in a nasty way. If you do something like spill coffee they'll call you, "low and slow". These groups can be depressing.

 

[Disappointered]

I've had bad experiences with support groups as well and can totally relate to the OP's bad feelings afterwards. I went to a meetup once and was basically stood up. People say they will go but then don't and I was the only one who went. I felt so pathetic.

 

[Ghost2211]

I've never considered trying these, and never would. Not only would I find that level of socializing overstimulating, and I'm far too much of an empath so I would just end up being food for vampires.

 

[AfraidofEverything]

I considered doing those, sucks to hear they're not all that great. I would guess my experience would go about the same anyway. I despise small talk with a passion. I suck at making friends. And all that wasted effort with nothing to show for it would make me really sad like it has before.

Have you tried online groups or finding stuff related to hobbies and interests instead?