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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Sammybabe on October 18, 2004, at 9:31:47
anyone ever done group therapy/discussion as an adjunct to therapy and meds? i'm a woman with long-term depression in the ny area and was wondering if i'd feel less "weird" or "isolated" with my depression if i met others with it, but am hesitant to give the disease more "space" in my life. i'm very social, but don't share my depression easily with friends, so was thinking a group might help? thoughts?
Posted by pegasus on October 18, 2004, at 11:47:57
In reply to groups?, posted by Sammybabe on October 18, 2004, at 9:31:47
You sound like a good candidate for a group. I'm sure there are other folks in NY struggling with depression. ;) I've done groups in the past, and some have been very helpful, while some have been less so. I think it depends on the style of the group vs. your own personal style, and then just how the facilitator works. Can your therapist recommend a good group for you? In my experience, individual therapy was a lot more helpful than groups, but sometimes groups can really bring things to light that you don't get to easily in individual therapy.
Good luck!
pegasus
Posted by 64bowtie on October 19, 2004, at 15:10:21
In reply to Re: groups?, posted by pegasus on October 18, 2004, at 11:47:57
...you found someone at the group, still going to the group after dealing with their many demons, and are simply sharing the process they went through, sorta quid pro quo, in hopes of getting addtional clues on how to fine-tune their new recovery skills? What if I predict you will find such people? What if you could do all this work objectively, portraying yourself as another person with the same problems, conflicts and concerns, producing an objective view of yourself for you to study???
Find a 12 step program that has folks you can relate to without relating your real name. I went to an Adult-Children-of-Alcoholics 12 step convention meeting in Santa Monica, CA. several years back, where a character-actor-stunt-man from the movies shared. He was waring bright red, finely built, Cowboy Boots, with his pantlegs tucked into the tops. He identified himself as "Red Foot". It was clear to all that his feet looked definetly "red"! That's all he was gonna commit to as far as identity, but we accepted him and listened carefully (and respectfully) to his sharing.
New York City is really many many cities in one; each block is almost a city in itself. I imagine a subway ride can make you pretty invisible to those you might be concerned able to sabotage you by telling your secrets. What if I had changed the story to black boots, thus he announcing himself as "Black Foot"? Then "Red Foot's" identity would be additionally obscured forever.
ACA, CoDA, ACoA, are all offshoots of the Alanon program started by Bill W's wife Lois W back in the late 30's, for the pupose of helping other survivors of alcoholism like herself. Starting out with Alanon meetings might surprise you how they can give great direction and help you decide what other of the 200-plus 12 step programs might work best for you. Mine was ACA. I however, I enjoy visiting AA speaker meetings, and being like a "fly on the wallpaper", enjoying hearing about oldtimers and their success stories.
Hope this can help you with your particular puzzle...
Rod
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