How do I know if a fibromyalgia support group is right for me?
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Celeste Cooper answered:The right support group will:
- Provide educational information
- Stay on schedule
- Has an agenda
- Provide expert speakers when possible
- Focus on positives
- Encourage mutual respect
- Listens without judging
- Allow sharing of information of all attendees as long as it is helpful
- Keep whining to a minimum
- Plan activities such as learning how to journal
- Encourage fellowship and constructive feedback
- Encourage healthy coping mechanisms
- Network with others
- Promote awareness
- Identify important topics for future meetings
All blogs, posts and answers are based on the work in Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Celeste Cooper, RN, and Jeff Miller, PhD. 2010, Vermont: Healing Arts press and are not meant to replace medical advice. http://www.thesethree.com
Author of Chapter Five, Living with and Coping Effectively Through Fibromyalgia: Detecting Barriers, Understanding the Clues, in Fibromyalgia Insider Secrets: 10 Top Experts, 2nd Ed. Ebook complied by Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD
http://www.fibromyalgiainsidersecrets.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=121_0_1_59
Find out more about this book: Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofa...
The right support group will: Provide educational information Stay on schedule Has an agenda Provide expert speakers when possible Focus on positives Encourage mutual respect Listens without judging Allow sharing of information of all attendees as... More -
Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:People with chronic pain conditions often feel alone in dealing with their illness. A support group can break this sense of isolation and provide understanding, encouragement, and information. Usually, family members are invited to attend the meetings, so take someone with you if you don't want to go alone. You won't know if a fibromyalgia support group is right for you unless you give it a try. It may take several visits to know if a particular group is a good fit. Different support groups may have different formats and offer different educational opportunities.
People with chronic pain conditions often feel alone in dealing with their illness. A support group can break this sense of isolation and provide understanding, encouragement, and information. Usually, family members are invited to attend... More
