The people in my support group don't seem to want to be in a group w/ me

[Nikia]

As I have mentioned before, I am recovering from an eating disorder. About a year ago, I started attending an eating disorder support group. There were always several people there, one of who attended occaionally was a therapist. Those of us who felt comfortable took turns leading.
In the past couple months, one long time member went to a longer term treatment center, which we all knew she was going to do since she has had a long time struggle. The theapist who occaisionally attended has not been attending, having many other things going on. Also, a member who had been a leader and long term recovered person had a relapse and went to treatment. Since she went away, attendance has been poor or non existent.
When the long term member was struggling, I was struggling with a couple of things. I was so narcisstic. When she announced how bad she was and going to residential treatment, I didn't know what to say.
Since then, I have realized that going to a support group isn't just about me, it is about helping others in their struggle. I want to help others just as others have helped me for this past year.
I have numbers and phone numbers as I have the leaders materials for the past couple weeks. I want to call or email to encourage people to come, but I stopped myself because I am afraid. I am afraid that I won't say the right things, that they won't come despite my efforts, and that I am right about it being my fault for being so self centered.
This is something that has been bugging me for the past month. Every week I arrive wondering if anyone else will show up.

[ceile]

1. Putting yourself "out there" is one of the best things you can do.

I've been in resedential treatment and out patient treatment, and group sessions were the most difficult. But when someone took interest in me in group it raised my spirits. It was hard to return the favor sometimes because recovery is such a deeply personal thing, but being able to see the look of thanks on someone's face when I did expend the effort to show interest in them, was an amazing feeling. For both of us. Maybe those in your group need to feel that. Show them you care. Don't think about whether you're going to get your feelings hurt, think about how much it will help them, and you, by encouraging them to go. You're taking an interest in them and that goes a long way.
Good luck, Nikia

[Nikia]

8. I know that it might help

I do care and worry about them. Maybe, it would be good for them to know.
Thanks for the support. I hope that you are doing well in your recovery.

[seaglass]

2. I think what you said about realizing it was about others too

would be a great thing to put in your email to encourage others to go.

I've never been to a support group so I probably am not the best person to give advice about this but your message came across as so honest I think you should just take the chance and contact them.

[Nikia]

7. You are right

Thanks for the support.

[Catchawave]

3. Have you tried the DU support groups ?

Wonderful groups and people, trust me :hi:

[Nikia]

5. Yes, I am glad for groups on DU

But there is something special about groups in person in real time. DU groups are special too but in a different way.

[xchrom]

4. certain things are hard to recover from without those

in like recovry.

i.e. addicts and alcoholics NEED the company of other addicts and alcoholics to recover with -- or i did.

try to think more of your recovery and less about what people might think.

i.e. if only we'd put as much energy into recovering as we did in being sick.

[Nikia]

6. I was amazed when I first went there

It made me realize sooner than I would have otherwise that it really isn't about the food. We struggle with a lot of the same issues aside from that.
I know that recovery takes effort. If it were easy, people wouldn't need treatment or support groups.

[xchrom]

9. we live with an unnameable hole that is

some how ''magically' healed by healthy, recovering interaction with people who suffer from the same.