Support Groups, specifically DBSA?

I've been thinking about attending a support group of some sort.

I read someone here say that it's the norm in Depression Bipolar Support Alliance to say your name, diagnosis, and medication. Is that the norm for DBSA or similar groups?

If I sit there completely speechless, will that be awkward? Are they usually group led discussions or what?

All I can speak to is the Mood Disorder Support Group that I attend.

New people are acknowledged and welcomed but they are clearly told they are free to share as much or as little as they like. Or, they can just pass when it is their turn to speak. We try to make it as comfortable as possible.

New people usually just introduce themselves then pass on to the next person. Or, on a first visit, new people are totally overcome with their current crisis and the floodgates open up. We give them as much time as they need.

Every group is different. Even two groups in the same organization can be very different because of the personalities involved. I'm very glad to have found a group where I fit in and am unconditionally accepted.

I encourage you to give groups a try. If one doesn't work for you, try another.
I hope it works out for you, as it has for me.

Take care,

You don't have to announce your meds. Many people do, but it's completely up to you. No one will think less of you if you don't identify the meds.

The DBSA group I go to starts with time for those in crisis. After that we go around the circle and each person gets to talk if they want. The people are very generous and supportive. There's nothing like being with those who've been through the same thing you've been through.

Never been to DBSA groups, but I attend a daily behavioral health program that has a two hour group. It's for adolescents and young adults that have a variety of mental health concerns or even some people that are just stuck in stressful situations come to figure things out. I don't find the group particularly helpful usually (especially since most of the groups are focused on people younger than me that have parent problems), but just being in a positive environment on a daily basis keeps me more recovery focused. Usually there's two counselors that guide the group and the clients present whatever is on their mind and together we all work it out and make plans and suggestions. Gets me out of the house. Oh, and there's also a really cool psychiatrist there that guesses whatever delusion I'm having at the moment with 87% accuracy.

skilsaw wrote: Or, on a first visit, new people are totally overcome with their current crisis and the floodgates open up. We give them as much time as they need.

Oh dear yes, this was me. I talked and talked and talked. My first group meeting was very reassuring and I'm committed to going to monthly meetings. I practically floated home afterwards. I felt completely normal there. There's a good mix of people and ages. Some of us work, I think one is a student, some work part-time and others are on disability.

You really, really, should give it a go. Nothing is expected of you except that you say your name at the start. That's it. The rest is up to you.

I facilitate a large DBSA group. (I'm also in leadership.)

Our intro includes: name, diagnosis, whether you have a psychiatrist and/or a psychologist, whether you're med compliant, how you feel, one good thing about your day, whether you want to talk and whether you want to stay after break.

I always tell new people that they can skip any questions that make them uncomfortable. I do like getting a name, but I even say that an alias is okay. After that, it's up to them. They can just watch or they can participate.

Very little pressure is put on new people, but we're there if they want to talk.