Advised Against Self Help Groups

[shyoldguy]

Hi,

This is an important question and maybe the moderators can add something to this. I saw one therapist who told me not to go to a self help group as she thought the people there just reinforced their problems in a never ending cycle.

It would be good to know about people's experiences and if they think what this therapist said had any truth in it.

Thanks,

[MONKEE_MAGIK]

Hi Shyoldguy and welcome to the group,

I think that whether or not to use a self help site like this one is very individual.

For me I like to be able to get support and reassurance from others in a similar situation and also to offer the same to others on the site. I tend to use the forum and chat rooms when I am feeling at my worst as I feel less alone in my struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. I also like to feel that I am not alone in my anxiety problems and also many people on here have very good suggestions for helping with particular issues.
You also have to take into account that many people on here do not go out often or socialise a great deal due to certain anxiety's so it is important that they have some socail interaction via the forums and chat room.

I think that this site is a very good example of a self help group as there is information and advice on self help and treatments. I feel that people who come here are looking for help and support to improve their personal situations rather than reinforcing them.

I would say that you are right in seeking help with a therapist and that you need to decide for yourself if you feel a self help group would cause more problems for you?

Hope that helps?

Monkee

[Anxious_gal]

wow I am surprised! What about AA? even people who have been sober for years still attend AA meetings as it keeps them on track.
for me here is my support group and here are the people who understand me and my anxiety.
If you want to go to a support group , then you should and decided for yourself if you find it helpful or not.
as for your therpist she is human and humans do have their own personal views on things...

[oneofus]

But this isn't real a self help group, my mother told me never to help myself - it was rude always wait to be asked and Freud said everything was my Mother's fault :-)

Anyone can sit back and just read without anyone else knowing anything about them. A self help group has before 0 IE (Internet Era) meant you had to make face to face contact. This is much more akin to reading a book in which you write if you want.

In any case enough of my bish bosh welcome aboard. You'll find all the world and a few extras are around. Enjoy!

one of us

[shyoldguy]

That's a good point about AA!

I've been to several different therapists (I may post the whole sorry saga at some point) and none really seemed to reach me. I have n't seen one for over 2 years now. I've been feeling really down sicne my 40th birthday, so I thought it was up to me to help myself and the first step I thought was to get some support, albeit on-line for now.

[Typer]

There always up sides and down sides to anything. Your therapist may have had or met people who were not helped by groups. Some people do think troubles are reinforced for some people, while others really benefit. The true gauge for me would be:

If you start to feel a bit better then probably its good for you/helpful

If you feel worse, its bad for you

If you are indifferent then it does not matter anyway