![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 127 to 151 of 232. Go back in thread:
Posted by Poet on December 10, 2005, at 17:07:44
In reply to I really feel dense :( (nm), posted by Dinah on December 9, 2005, at 21:43:55
Hi Dinah,
The small group discussion scares me, but what I'm telling myself is that I will be Poet, which gives me some anonymity. I don't have to reveal anything personal that I am not comfortable saying and no one will be pushing me to do it.
I don't think you are dense at all. You're nervous just like me and Deneb and everybody. We have lots of questions, because none of us (except GG) have done anything like this.
It's scary and it's not dense to be concerned about what we are getting into. Not dense at all.
Poet
Posted by sleepygirl on December 10, 2005, at 19:21:14
In reply to Re: What if ..., posted by annierose on December 9, 2005, at 6:20:52
Posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:54:37
In reply to am I allowed to come? (nm), posted by sleepygirl on December 10, 2005, at 19:21:14
Posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:58:03
In reply to Re: I really feel dense :( » Dinah, posted by Poet on December 10, 2005, at 17:07:44
To the point of not wanting to go to Toronto at all. Which is stupid, because no one is saying you have to do this if you go.
If I had seen what Dr. Bob was talking about before, I might not be so anxious. But this sort of thing is not part of the conferences I attend in the course of my work. If I had any comprehension at all of what he wants from us, I wouldn't feel so anxious. Maybe this is like one of those falling backwards exercises in trust. So why don't I trust that Dr. Bob won't ask us to do anything that will humiliate us?
Posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:59:14
In reply to I am anxious I guess, posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:58:03
Goodness only knows it isn't that I am not comfortable talking about Babble ad infinitum. :))
Posted by Tamar on December 11, 2005, at 19:12:05
In reply to I am anxious I guess, posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:58:03
> If I had any comprehension at all of what he wants from us, I wouldn't feel so anxious.
Would it help if you try to see it as an opportunity to do something for yourself rather than for Dr Bob?
What do *you* want to get from it?
If I were going, I’d see it as an opportunity to do something I’d like to do: to talk to some interested people about my experiences with online support as a mental health patient.
> Maybe this is like one of those falling backwards exercises in trust. So why don't I trust that Dr. Bob won't ask us to do anything that will humiliate us?
Well, of course Dr Bob can’t control absolutely everything that happens. But on the basis of my experience of professional conferences, I’d imagine that the people who attend the session will be interested in hearing from you. I think they will have a genuine interest in what you might say.
And the really important thing to remember is:
You know much more about Babble than they do.
So you’re the one with the knowledge and experience. They might know lots and lots about psychology. But they don’t know what you know about online support at Babble.Does that help at all?
Tamar
Posted by LegWarmers on December 11, 2005, at 21:16:34
In reply to I am anxious I guess, posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:58:03
> To the point of not wanting to go to Toronto at all. Which is stupid, because no one is saying you have to do this if you go.
>
> If I had seen what Dr. Bob was talking about before, I might not be so anxious. But this sort of thing is not part of the conferences I attend in the course of my work. If I had any comprehension at all of what he wants from us, I wouldn't feel so anxious. Maybe this is like one of those falling backwards exercises in trust. So why don't I trust that Dr. Bob won't ask us to do anything that will humiliate us?You can always back out of anything you don't want to do when you get there. I also think Tamat had good ponints, you know something they are interested in learning about.
Posted by Dinah on December 12, 2005, at 8:58:05
In reply to Re: I am anxious I guess » Dinah, posted by LegWarmers on December 11, 2005, at 21:16:34
I know I can.
Sigh. It's most likely nerves. I can be passionate enough about topics I'm interested in to get pulled in once I'm there.
Thanks.
Posted by Dinah on December 12, 2005, at 8:59:04
In reply to Re: I am anxious I guess » Dinah, posted by Tamar on December 11, 2005, at 19:12:05
There are very few things I do for myself that involve getting out of my jammies. :)
Posted by AuntieMel on December 12, 2005, at 15:27:59
In reply to I am anxious I guess, posted by Dinah on December 11, 2005, at 11:58:03
I'd like to tell them why I came here in the first place.
Because I didn't have a clue what was going on with me.
Because I was given meds without a clue of what they were supposed to do - or that if one didn't work it wasn't hopeless - or that it might take more than one at a time to work - and that it could be trial and error and it could take a long time.
Because my shrink told me that the best treatment is meds *and* therapy - but not what therapy was supposed to do.
Because I had never been to therapy before and I didn't have a clue why I was there and what I was supposed to talk about.
So - I did what I knew how to do - search on the internet.
And I found answers to most of those questions here at babble - and I am still finding answers.
And along the way I met some of the nicest people I've ever met.
Posted by gardenergirl on December 12, 2005, at 18:22:57
In reply to Re: I know what *I'd* like to talk to them about » Dinah, posted by AuntieMel on December 12, 2005, at 15:27:59
> >
> And along the way I met some of the nicest people I've ever met.:-D
gg
Posted by gardenergirl on December 12, 2005, at 19:01:47
In reply to Takes one to know one...;-P » AuntieMel, posted by gardenergirl on December 12, 2005, at 18:22:57
That sort of looks snotty, darned medium. What I mean is that you are one of those "nicest people".
gg
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 13, 2005, at 7:05:27
In reply to Re: I am anxious I guess » Dinah, posted by Tamar on December 11, 2005, at 19:12:05
> When I think of it as a conversation rather than a presentation, it is a little less scary for me.
>
> 5. If a group feels like they are in "trouble", there should be some way to call Dr. Bob over and he should help get the discussion going (is that OK, Dr. Bob?)
>
> Dr. Bob, when the time comes, can you find out how big a room they are giving us? That should say something about the maximum number of attendees.
>
> Dr. Bob can remind them before we split up that we come to Babble because we have mental health issues - so they should use their best doctor manners with us! And we ALWAYS have the right to refuse to answer a question if we are uncomfortable. I think that we and the doctors really will be wanting the same thing - to increase their understanding of online support groups - so we'll all be working in the same direction.
>
> fallsfallI agree, think of it as a conversation and not as something adversarial. It's fine to call me over, but I think you'll be fine and that won't be necessary. Here's the room:
http://www.mtccc.com/planners/floorplansSpecs/southBuilding/level800/meetingRooms803.cfm
But it seems large to me, I doubt it'll be even close to full...
--
> If I had seen what Dr. Bob was talking about before, I might not be so anxious. But this sort of thing is not part of the conferences I attend in the course of my work. If I had any comprehension at all of what he wants from us, I wouldn't feel so anxious.
>
> Dinah> on the basis of my experience of professional conferences, I’d imagine that the people who attend the session will be interested in hearing from you. I think they will have a genuine interest in what you might say.
>
> And the really important thing to remember is:
> You know much more about Babble than they do.
> So you’re the one with the knowledge and experience. They might know lots and lots about psychology. But they don’t know what you know about online support at Babble.
>
> TamarI agree with Tamar. But you might be able to go to another session on Sunday if you want. It wouldn't be like ours, but it might still give you an idea of what the meeting's like.
Bob
Posted by AuntieMel on December 13, 2005, at 9:35:23
In reply to Um...just in case, posted by gardenergirl on December 12, 2005, at 19:01:47
I didn't think it looked snotty at all.
In fact, it made my morning. Thanks for that.
Posted by AuntieMel on December 13, 2005, at 9:36:49
In reply to Re: being anxious, posted by Dr. Bob on December 13, 2005, at 7:05:27
Plenty of room to get a running start - and plenty of exits.
Posted by Dinah on December 13, 2005, at 10:04:54
In reply to Re: being anxious, posted by Dr. Bob on December 13, 2005, at 7:05:27
Thanks for understanding, Dr. Bob.
That might help. I know that before I go anywhere new, I usually drive by the address the day before so that I will know where I'm going, and that helps me reduce my anxiety.
Posted by Deneb on December 13, 2005, at 13:35:35
In reply to Re: being anxious, posted by Dr. Bob on December 13, 2005, at 7:05:27
> I agree, think of it as a conversation and not as something adversarial.
Adversarial...I choose adversarial LOL. Just kidding, I choose to think of it as a conversation with strangers in a big scary room. :-) Someone please be my partner so I won't have to face a scary crowd all by myself!
>It's fine to call me over, but I think you'll be fine and that won't be necessary.
You'll come save me if people start pointing and laughing at me right? ROFL
> I agree with Tamar. But you might be able to go to another session on Sunday if you want. It wouldn't be like ours, but it might still give you an idea of what the meeting's like.
I would like to attend a session ahead of time to see what the meeting's like.
Deneb
Posted by LegWarmers on December 14, 2005, at 11:04:54
In reply to Re: being anxious, posted by Deneb on December 13, 2005, at 13:35:35
>
> You'll come save me if people start pointing and laughing at me right? ROFL:) if anyone starts laughing and pointing I hope that that person would get tackled but you could also start laughing and pointing back at them and tell them their toupee is lopsided :)
Posted by Poet on December 15, 2005, at 11:59:13
In reply to Re: I like the room » Dr. Bob, posted by AuntieMel on December 13, 2005, at 9:36:49
I don't suppose I request that my small group be able to hide in the back of the room?
I know this is early, but I start panicking early. I imagine that I'll be the only poster there. While I love to be alone, alone in a room full of pdocs scares the h*** out of me.
I'm thinking of arriving on Sat. May 20 and leaving Tues. May 23. Anybody else thinking of making it a long weekend?
Poet
Posted by AuntieMel on December 16, 2005, at 9:56:37
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving? » AuntieMel, posted by Poet on December 15, 2005, at 11:59:13
I don't know about arriving, but...
How about you and I group together (others are welcome too) for a group. I have no qualms about making a fool of myself.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 17, 2005, at 12:54:48
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving? » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on December 16, 2005, at 9:56:37
Count this fool in, too. I'll be adding a few days on to the trip to see family in the area. Babble activities will take first priority!!
CS
Posted by poet on December 17, 2005, at 13:02:22
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving? » Poet, posted by AuntieMel on December 16, 2005, at 9:56:37
We're a group. Clearskies, too. And who else wants to join in?
I do have qualms about making a fool of myself, but there's safety in numbers.
Poet
Posted by Deneb on December 17, 2005, at 14:36:41
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving? » AuntieMel, posted by Poet on December 15, 2005, at 11:59:13
> I know this is early, but I start panicking early. I imagine that I'll be the only poster there. While I love to be alone, alone in a room full of pdocs scares the h*** out of me.
Me too. I'm seriously scared. This is going to be big, really big...like someone with agoraphobia going to Disneyland.
> I'm thinking of arriving on Sat. May 20 and leaving Tues. May 23. Anybody else thinking of making it a long weekend?
I'll make it a long weekend if others are.
Deneb
Posted by Deneb on December 17, 2005, at 14:50:49
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving? » AuntieMel, posted by ClearSkies on December 17, 2005, at 12:54:48
> Count this fool in, too. I'll be adding a few days on to the trip to see family in the area. Babble activities will take first priority!!
> CSIf more posters group together, then I imagine the group can get pretty big. I don't know if I can talk to a big group. You guys are talking to a person who has never raised her hand in class to answer or ask a question without her heart beating so fast she thinks it will stop. I raise my hand in class maybe once a year. I think I'm going to have to ask my pdoc for some propranolol just in case I can't handle it.
I *might* be able to handle 3 or 4 other people in my group. I think I'll be just as nervous around posters as the pdocs...people are people.
Deneb
Posted by ClearSkies on December 17, 2005, at 20:06:39
In reply to Re: I like the room- when are people arriving?, posted by Deneb on December 17, 2005, at 14:50:49
I think it might depend a bit on timing. Some people might arrive earlier and leave earlier, whereas other might arrive late and stay later... so the size of our Babble groups could be small or not-so-small, or multiple groups. I think there are enough varying places of interest that we'll be able to have a lot going on and keep groups at reasonable sizes.
I think that comfort is key.
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.