Anyone here have experiences with group therapy for sz or mental illness in general? What was it like, did it help?
I go to group therapy for hearing voices. I feel it helps a lot, and it feels nice to have a space where I’m able to talk about my voices without feeling like an idiot.
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Group therapy helps me. Sometimes it’s led by topic for the day, other times people just share what is on their mind like problems and their positive things in their life. No one is forced to talk. You share what you’re comfortable sharing. You can also ask for feedback.
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I’ve had a lot of group therapy. The most effective ones for me
-had one concrete topic to discuss each session
-a skilled leader who knew when to talk, when to be silent, when to draw someone out, and when to cut someone off
-around 8-10 people
The least effective ones for me
-watched a movie or discussed an article or book
-a leader or more who weren’t prepared
-too big or too small
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@zwolfgang
Do you have one in mind?
I’ve had group therapy most of the times i’ve been in the hospital. For me it helps to listen and hear what other people are going through, kind of like here. I’ve never really asked for any specific feedback although from time to time someone may chime in with advice. I find it to be a positive experience overall.
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Thanks everyone! Im a little nervous about it so Im trying to learn more about how people here have gone through it
@zwolfgang
I don’t know what is available near you, but shop around if there are options. Find the best fit.
I was trying to find a group in my area for schizophrenia or severe mental illness in general, but I cant find any.
Instead Im looking at one that helps introverts with social skills and small talk since Ive been isolating myself these last couple months and I feel like my ability to talk and connect with people is suffering
How do you go about finding groups? I use the finder on psychchologytoday.com
The last time i was in the hospital, like six months ago, most of the people in the group were dealing with depression. Only one person mentioned having sz and she didn’t talk much. I am sza and nobody had that. I still found it helpful to listen to their experiences though because i do struggle with depression a lot. I hope you find a group that is a good fit for you.
I was in a PRS (Psychosocial Rehabilitative Service) group for almost 3 years. It was run by my states department of mental health. We did life skills (cooking, cleaning, budgeting), symptom management, leisure, self esteem, relaxation, etc groups. Everyone there had a major mental illness. Either schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder as their primary diagnosis. There was one girl who had dissociative identity disorder. There were approximately 15-20 patients there. I found some things helpful and some things not so much. The biggest thing I found helpful was that I felt I had people to relate to as far as all of us having a mental illness. The only thing with this particular group was the average age ranged from mid 30’s to 50’s, and I’m in my 20’s, so I felt a little different as a young adult.
I’m currently in a similar program, but there are only 3 of us at the moment.
@zwolfgang
That sounds like a helpful place to make friends!
I go to dbsa (depression bipolar support alliance) meetings sometimes.
Did you look for NAMI?
I’ve had group therapy several different times (eight or nine separate different groups) I was never big on groups even at my best on a good day. Hell, when I got to seventh grade the teacher went around the room and made each person stand up and tell their name and a little about themselves. I was petrified. Giving speeches in high school in front of the whole class was such an ordeal it seemed like God was somehow punishing me for every little thing I did wrong in my entire life.
Anyways, to be honest, I never felt any group helped me. It’s funny because I guess my biggest fear was that someone would single me out and attack me or make fun of me but I went to some of those groups for months and even a year and no one did that.
Maybe it helped other people but it didn’t help me. I really don’t like group therapy.
I have been in group therapy with PTSD patients in the past and I didn’t get anything out of it. Right now I am doing a virtual group therapy with a couple of other schizophrenics but I don’t think I am getting much out of that either.
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I go to 4 groups a week, and I don’t get much out of them, other than speaking. Usually the therapist calls on each person to share something. Other than that it seems like its about the same old stuff. Tomorrow’s group you’re supposed to talk about your problems.
@anon54988740
Four groups in one week? Where did you find them? Do you have to pay for them? Who are they offered for? Just mental illness?
They are supplied by my psychiatric care provider. It’s a charitable, not for profit, organization that treats people with severe and persistent mental illness. I go for free because I was homeless when they admitted me. They have an indigent fund. If a person has Medicaid, they bill Medicaid. I was referred to them when I was discharged from the hospital on an involuntary commitment. That was in 2008, and I still get my psychiatric care with them.