Group Sessions

[Dustin]

My shrink wants me to try group therapy. Anybody out there tried this group stuff? I'm a little apprehensive.

 

[Anglesachse]

Group Therapy, has its good and its bad points.

If you get in a Vet group, it can help but you still might get the "You weren`t in ?, so you can`t have PTSD" guys.

A civvie group, is what I was in. Done my head in. I actually sat there a listened to 2 women go at each other because one forgot to turn the light off in the toilet. Kind of gives you a whole new perspective on what a "Problem" is. I walked out of the sessions on a regular basis. I remember the Therapist looking at me one day, and asking "Mr, what are you thinking about"
When I opened my mouth, the whole grooup copped shit, for forcing me to listen to there menial Crap. Very few spoke to me after that. I mean, she did f*cking ask............

Me for my part could have done with out it, and I will not go back to one soon. I found a Therapist and me alone worked best.

But like most things. What works for me may be different for you.
You have to take evry chance you get, and make your own decisions as to what helps and what doesn`t.

Just make sure you go with an open mind.

 

[Dustin]

I'll give it a good Army try and see what happens. I don't go until next month but I'll post about it and let you know how it goes. I think it is all military group. We'll see what happens.

 

[Squaddiedave]

Like wise (old Angle) says it doesn't work for everyone, but for others it does, open mind buddy!

 

[JarHed]

Hey Dustin

I'm in a group at the moment. I started with them after I finished Prolonged Exposure Therapy. Everyone in the group is a vet. They're a great bunch of guys and very supportive and inclusive. I was apprehensive at first but after a few times I felt like I'd been there a long time. For sure it's the luck of the draw, but nothing ventured nothing gained. Give it a try and a chance before you make your mind up. You gotta' take those first steps.

Jar

 

[Jimmy1]

The hardest thing about group therapy to start with is finding out who everyone is. There will always be the look of, 'How could you have PTSD, you were inside the wire most of the time', and then you will get your misery types, then you will have people who have been told to go.

That's all the negatives. Then again you might have a group who wants to be there and wants to get something out of it.

 

[Wagon]

I just signed up to group. I think I got a decent system going now.

Group: Only addresses how you feel right now and teaches relaxation techniques.
Shrink: Addressing the Past and working through cognitive therapy.

The people who run the group are pretty nice. One almost too nice, but a genuine willingness to help. You can pick that up off of some of these people. It's a good thing.

As this is not a mandatory exercise, if it does not work, you can always say "no" and try something else. Everyone is different.

 

[JarHed]

Then again you might have a group who wants to be there and wants to get something out of it.

One other thing about being in group is that you hear other peoples stories. It made me realize that my problems weren't as bad as some. I was certainly glad of that. I feel for those that do but I think it's both a human response and the nature of group that that happens.

I'm lucky for the group that I'm in. As I said, they're a really good bunch of guys with diversified combat experiences. It helps to know you're not alone.

 

[Raven]

I was briefly part of a veteran's group but folks were playing the "my PTSD is worse than yours" game. A decent moderator would stomp that shit out when it comes up, but this one didn't. I tried to, but was then told I was being insensitive--probably because of a few choice words I used. The participants didn't realize we were all there for the same thing: to heal, or do something that closely resembles healing.

Edited to add: Groups seem to attract a lot of wallowers. Maybe it's because they were pushed into the group by a loved one or therapist. I just persoonally don't find it helpful to be around others who don't want to reintegrate into civilian life.

 

[Anglesachse]

..................I just persoonally don't find it helpful to be around others who don't want to reintegrate into civilian life.

Hear hear.

I can realy do without people who don`t accept they have problems and want to change and get better. They just drag you down with all their "life is so hard" or "life is so unfair" "What did I do to deserve this"

To which my usuall reply is along the lines of.........
"You were wasting the time and effort of someone who was willing to help you, you f*cking moron. P*ss off and get a f*cking life"

Yes I know we all needed time to accept that we have problems, and do something about them. No one likes to admit that they are ill and can`t cope. But how long did you need? and how many people walked away in the time you needed?

Sure we all have our bad days. We all needed a bit of a run up to dealing with the beast, or a bit of dutch courage to put that foot out the door on this shity road, but at some point enough is enough and we make the decision to get help. So if you are making the effort you are on the right road. And I will do what I can to help.

 

[JarHed]

I can really do without people who don`t accept they have problems and want to change and get better. They just drag you down with all their "life is so hard" or "life is so unfair" "What did I do to deserve this"

Hey Angle

I'm with you on this. I've known too many people that like to wallow in their own self pity. It's OK to feel sorry for yourself for a bit, but then you've got to do something about it. I could tell numerous stories of people that I've known that are always in that mode and the truth is that they're probably doing better than I am in many ways.

It's always up to you to do what needs to be done, no one can do it for you.

Jar

 

[Dustin]

So, today will be my first group session. Wish me luck.