DBSA-Attleboro Home
Frequently Asked Questions about DBSA-Attleboro
DBSA-Attleboro Group Meeting Guidelines
Directions to DBSA-Attleboro
About Bipolar Disorder
About Clinical Depression
Attleboro Region Support Groups
Greater Attleboro Resource Directory
What is the mission of DBSA-Attleboro?
DBSA brings together people with similar problems to support each other
through sharing our experiences and wellness strategies while at the same
time caring for others with the illness. This gives all of us more resources
to cope - even though no one has all the answers. top
How Might the Group
be Helpful to Me?
Many DBSA members talk about how these support groups give us an opportunity
to discuss, share, and educate ourselves about something that is so central
to our daily lives, yet frequently we cannot share with friends or family
members who don't have the illness. Many members also use this supportive
atmosphere as a platform for growth and understanding regarding how to manage
their illness while at the same time pursuing their aspirations. On
a less lofty level, members also use group member's willingness to share
their own first person experiences to gather info on issues such as unexplained
symptoms or new prescribed medications that others in the group may have
experience with. top
What Kind of People
Attend DBSA-Attleboro Meetings?
DBSA-Attleboro attracts adults from all walks of life, ranging from
working professionals to people who are not currently working and may be
on Disability. Attendee ages range from 18-plus to retirement age
and include both men and women. The group is chartered to serve adults 18
years and older. top
Does DBSA-Attleboro
Run Therapy Groups?
DBSA-Attleboro groups are not therapy groups and our peer facilitators
are not therapists. top
What is the
Difference Between a Support Group & Therapy Group?
There are many differences between support and therapy groups. Our
support groups are not run by clinicians or therapists, therefore they
are not therapy groups. Therapy groups also typically pursue therapeutic
goals and objectives for group participants, which is not the case with
our support group. Our group makeup also changes from week to week,
whereas therapy groups tend to have the same people in each group. Our
groups are also larger, ranging from 15 to over 20 people. top
What is the Meeting
Format?
DBSA-Attleboro meetings begin at 7:00 pm with a greeting from the peer
facilitator and review of any general announcements for the group. The
facilitator then reads the Share/Care
Guidelines, which outline group policies in areas such as confidentiality,
respect for others, how we talk about medication (from our own experience
only - we don't prescribe meds), etc. top
What will be Expected
of Me if I Attend? Do I have to Talk?
Group members are encouraged to share their experiences and coping strategies
around their illness for the benefit of themselves and others and to the
extent that they feel comfortable. This is not a requirement, however, and
everyone has their quiet days. At a minimum, group members are asked
to state their first names during check-in. top
How Many People
Attend a Weekly DBSA Group?
DBSA-Attleboro groups currently average between 8 and 15 people per
week. top
Do You Talk about Medications?
Proper medication is central to the wellness strategies of many of our
group members, and medication is a common topic of group discussion. Members
might bring in questions regarding newly-prescribed medications and seek
group members' input on their own experience, if any, with the medication
in question. Our medication discussions are firmly grounded in relaying
our own first person experiences, recognizing that reactions and efficacy
vary widely by individual. We do not recommend or prescribe medications,
we only share our own experiences with this important aspect of many people's
wellness strategies. top
Is DBSA-Attleboro Part
of a Larger Organization?
DBSA-Attleboro is a local chapter of the Depresssion and Bipolar Support Alliance,
based out of Chicago. There are several hundred other DBSA chapters
around the country. top
Does DBSA-Attleboro
Follow a 12-Step Recovery Program?
DBSA-Attleboro is not a 12 Step Program and meetings are not run like
one. There is no program, manual, sponsors or other aspects of 12
Step programs. top
Does it Cost Anything
to Attend DBSA-Attleboro Groups?
DBSA-Attleboro meetings are free and open to the public. top
What about Confidentiality
of the Material Expressed There?
Confidentiality and respect for others are central tenants of the DBSA
philosophy. The Share/Care Guidelines read at the beginning of each
meeting provide continual reinforcement of this critical aspect. Anything
that is said in the meeting room stays there. top
What If I See Someone
I Know?
This is a frequent concern of new attendees. What frequently results
is that, if you see someone you know in our meetings, it is because you
may be in the same boat. This can and has often lead to closer bonds
and greater availability of support versus exposure since you are both involved.
top
Does DBSA-Attleboro Offer
Anything for Friends or Family Members of People who have Bipolar Disorder
or Clinical Depression?
DBSA-Attleboro does not currently offer meetings for Friends and Family
Members of people with the illness. There are numerous resources in the surrounding areas,
however. top
Is There an Age Limit?
The group is currently chartered to serve adults 18 years and older.
Younger people and their families are encouraged to contact http://www.bpkids.org. top
Are There Any Special
Groups for Newcomers?
Newcomers' meetings for first-timers are held every Tuesday night at 6:45
pm, prior to the beginning of the regular meeting at 7:00 pm. top
Where are DBSA-Attleboro
Meetings Held and on What Day and Time?
DBSA-Attleboro meetings are held every Tuesday night from 7:00 to 9:00
pm at the Hillside Adult Day Health Center,
50 Walton Street, in Attleboro. top
I can't Make Tuesday
Night Meetings - are there Similar Meetings Available on Other Nights?
Check out our listings of other
area support groups for information on other groups meeting in the area.
top
Who do I Contact to
Learn More about DBSA-Attleboro?
Feel free to send us an e-mail
or leave us a message at 508-222-7525 ext 407, but if you are considering
the group for yourself we encourage you to try a few meetings and see if
it works for you. top
or send us an e-mail !