Upon the diagnosis of an illness everyone, including your doctor, likely tells you to go to a support group.
Research has shown that support groups can be extremely helpful in how one copes with disease.
And yet, not everyone finds a group to be the answer to the kind of support for which they are searching.
Like any kind of group, there are some support groups you will "click" with and others you will not.
So don't rule out all support groups just because one doesn't seem like a good fit.
But the question still arises.
Regardless of whether you are looking for a colon cancer support group or a endometriosis support group, the real question may be, do you really need a support group at this time in your life? Many changes occur while we live decades with illness and there are seasons in our life when an illness support group may hold our very best of friends, and other times when we have no need to attend whatsoever.
Here are eight signs that you may not need a support group right now: 1.
You are coping well with the day-to-day aspects of living with illness.
You don't think about your illness non-stop because you're simply too busy living life.
2.
You have a solid group of people who are a good influence.
Friends or family members are supportive in your efforts to live your best life possible despite having an illness.
3.
You don't feel resentment, anger, or bitterness toward people who don't deal with chronic conditions.
Your relationships with others aren't tainted by you comparing your abilities (or lack of) with others entering your thoughts.
4.
You easily carry on conversations with people without ever bringing up the topic of your illness.
You don't believe that your illness is such a fundamental part of who you are that it's necessary to describe your medical challenges to total strangers.
5.
You don't watch others with envy.
You feel you have overcome any annoyances you may have previously felt toward people who have their health, but who do not seem to be appreciating it.
6.
You find that sitting around talking about your illness with others at a support group is more depressing than refreshing.
You leave your meetings feeling worse than when you came.
7.
You are able to be a good advocate for your well-being.
When you need information on symptoms or tips about living with your illness, you are equipped to find the information.
8.
You have found at least one dear friend who lives with illness.
Being able to talk openly with a good friend who has a realistic idea of what you are coping with can be extremely helpful in your daily living skills.
You have the chance to vent or contribute ideas with another person who understands the details and "language" of illness.
If you connected with some of the examples above, it's likely that you don't really need a support group at this point in your life.
But surprise! You could be an exceptional facilitator of an illness support group.
All of the signs above make a simple outline for your proposal for starting up a support group.
The most successful support groups are those led by people who have overcome the daily aggravations and animosities that occur during the first years of being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Since you have coped with the initial rollercoaster of emotions and have survived, a support group of people still struggling with them would benefit from your experience and expertise.
If you feel leading a support group is not your calling then go enjoy other things you are passionate about.
Remember, there are friends in wonderful support groups who will be there when you need them.