Support groups

Online sites such as this can be a sort of support group.

Has anyone joined an actual support group for a particular reason? Did you gain from it and did it make you feel better?

My eldest son has a rare condition and I joined a support group and have to say that it did make me feel better and reassured me. I''m all for them.

I joined a group called "no more panic" which I found so supportive and helpful.

Anyone else out there who can say the same?

Re: Support groups

support groups work ! ive been in a couple over the course of the years and they help you move forward in life . . . good for people who feel stuck

Re: Support groups

I did think briefly of joining a Bereavement group but felt perhaps there could be a lot of doom and gloom if folk were talking about losing their loved ones when it's support we need and if you're trying to deal with your own grief you don't want to take on board the sadness of others

Re: Support groups

I have a rare condition also, and joined an online group a few years back.
While I don't actively participate, I did find it a relief to read that others were experiencing some of the same symptoms as myself. It was good to know it wasn't all in my head, as doctors had suggested.
And I know if I reached out, I would have support in a flash.

Re: Support groups

I joined "Al-Anon" some years ago - they are a support group for relatives/friends/carers of alcoholics and they really helped me to cope with an alcoholic parent.

Re: Support groups

Yes I use a couple of aspie groups, and a klinefelters group - they gave more information than we ever got from the hospital or GPs, used to use a depression group which helped when I was really down, just considering finding a bereavement group but every time I think about it I feel I have to be strong on my own for everyone else, if I slip and need help it could all come tumbling down around us. Daft I know.

Re: Support groups

Daft...not at all Julie...just your way of dealing with the pain.

Re: Support groups

Yes a support group for hearing loss and also lip reading. I found it to be of benefit to me whilst the funding was available. I am all for support groups of any kind.

Re: Support groups

Julie you are not being daft at all. We all do what it takes to get through the day.

I have been offered counselling as recently as this year, unfortunately I would not consider it. Like a couple of you have said I don't want to be in a room if everything is going to be doom and gloom. It may not be but I probably would not open my mouth anyway.

I treat this site as my counselling as the topics we talk about let me let go of some of my grief and pain. So I thank you all for letting me do that.

Re: Support groups

Thanks both, most people here support each other I think we are a kind of support group, between us we have experienced a lot I would say.