psych evaluation

ok, so i got my answer, and it is........I need to go to support groups.

i thaught that was for after surgery.   does anyone know what these are about

thanks

The support groups  you can go to before surgery if you like.  Most people say they learn more while they are waiting to have there sugery.   everyone shares story about there jouney.  Some ask question that they are not sure of and 9 out of 10  someone else will have an answer for that question.   For me it is just nice to  see I am not in this alone that there are other out there that  are going though the same thing I am.

Lisa

have you had your surgery yet?  where do you go for the meetings.

the psychiatrist is making me go even though i am doing everything they want

I attended a monthly support group meeting every month from Feb '08 and I still attend them.  I just had my surgery in Sept.  I go to the Roger Williams group which meets 6-7:30 pm on the 4th Thurs of the month in the Kay Auditorium.  There are signs posted to direct you when you get into the building.  I am not sure I understand why you are sounding so upset about having to go, because I personally have found them very helpful.  They completely prepared me for the changes I have faced since sugery.  There were many months that I just sat and listened.  It is a very open forum, people talk as they wi**** is not like a formal group therapy session.  There is a LOT of information shared and tho everyones experiences are ultimately unique, there are still many things that only someone who has gone thru this experience can relate to and understand.  The surgery solves many issues, but it is also a major head change...so thinking that you can do it all alone without some support in your life may be a stretch.  I think you should just go to a meeting and see for yourself.  There is little to no drama to it....I think you may be working yourself up a little prematurely. 

My insurance co required me to do 3 months of nutritional counseling and exercising with a trainer.  I just did it, and took what I needed from that for the future, MY future.  I think the psych's just want you to be prepared.  Life after surgery is completely different than what I thought it was before surgery, and I am glad that I had such a good foundation prior to getting those incisions.  I think if you give it a chance, you will see what I am saying and it may not seem so stressful to you.  Good luck with your journey.....it's a lot easier if you can find a way to go with the flow...there may be other things that come up along the way, and the support group will be there for you as you need us.

If you can't make the one at RW, there are also some held at Miriam and RI Hosp.  I don't attend those, and am not sure when they are but you can contact the hospitals, or get that info from someone else here.  Others here attend those meetings as well.

 

I can understand about the support groups, but I was ordered to go to this specific one and  the

clinition is the one who decides if I pass or not.. The way the psychologist described it, it was

like I was going to studied AGAIN. I was very honest in my evaluation and they make me feel like

I should have lied. She made it seem like it is a formal group thearpy session. I would have no

problem going on my own to an informal one, but it doesn't sound like this is one of them. My

husband is extreemly supportive, he is even doing the nutritionists' diet with me, he walkes with

me and assures me in any and all aspects of this journey.

I will go to the sessions with an open mind and I will keep what you have written in mind.

thanks

It's GREAT that your husband is so supportive!!!!  Mine is too but he sure doesn't walk with me or do the nutritionist's diet unless I cook and trick him into eating something healthy! hahaha!!

Well, I understand now what you were saying about the support group. I have done those in the past with my therapist, who I used to see in the mid-80's  thru mid-90's.  I didn't love the group sessions, so I get what you are saying.  My only comment is, once again, to go with the flow and jump thru whatever hoops it takes to get the surgery, if you really want it.  Like I said before, my insurance company put me through some, and I did what they asked as I just repeated my mantra  - keep my eye on the prize. 

I'll bet by you just showing up to the sessions and continuing to tell the truth, they will see that you are serious and ready to head towards surgery, and they will also see what progress you have made in your own head.   Good luck!  Come here to ***** when you need to!

Hi Welcome!

I go to all the area support groups. I love them. They're a great way to get information and actually, SEE other people - - - just like me - - - going through the same things with the same questions.

Without the combined support from my family, this board and all the wonderful people I have met along my journey at the support groups, I'd be way behind the power curve of knowledge.

If you look at past posts here, you will find that there have been many many people asking the same question you're asking right now.

Hope to see you around!

Jules