It’s nice to have endless information at our fingertips. However, there are times when ignorance is bliss when it comes to finding support for a chronic condition. There were not any resources for a kid like me to turn to and to be honest, I was so closeted about having JRA that I doubt I would have participated anyway. As I got older and social media made it easier to connect with other people I looked into a few groups, threads, and other conversations people were having when it came to an illness. I didn’t like what I found. It was typically complaining and self-pity. I felt like having had my head in the sand kept me from such self-sabotage. Groups like that kept me away. I thought I if had made it this far without a support group that I’d be fine and that kind of talk was not helpful whatsoever. Down the road I was looking for RA related organizations to volunteer or write for and came across an advocacy group that was much more about support and I got involved right away. Finding the right group can take time. Allow for a bit of trial and error. Once you know a group is too negative or just not the right fit, leave the group so you’re not seeing posts that can bother you. A good group will be focused on sharing resources and having helpful discussions. Here are a few things to consider when participating in a support group vs. a gripe group.
Support Group
- realistic goal setting
- positive attitudes
- sharing solutions and resources
Gripe Group
- unrealistic goals
- toxic positivity or bad attitudes
- complaining about the situation