I this could be a cool idea. Especially if I wanted to make an online support group in my area or maybe have it focus on a certain subset of a disease that is not already listed.

If I do a subset of a disease (for example, bcell lymphoma) I would try and see if others in the lymphoma group would join. But I assume you might list any groups related to lymphoma under the main lymphoma support groups page?

I PMd an admin a little while ago and asked if it would be possible to create a Sexual Anorexia/Sexual Aversion Disorder group. With the boards I post on (Incest Survivors, Abuse, Sexual Abuse) I have found I'm not the only one who might be interested in that.
I think if I were to start a group I would post a thread on the above mentioned boards beforehand, asking people to leave feedback if they would join or knew anyone who might be interested in joining.

How about a support group for The Other Woman? Living the lifestyle and dealing with the aftermath takes its toll and having a safe outlet is beneficial and important.

How about a support group that encourages and supports exercise before, after and during treatment. I've noticed a lot of changes in my body, but exercise seems to be a positive way to reboot my general sense of well being and resolve some minor aches.

Is there any way to do an index above the posts that could be permanent? This would allow our new supporters a way to read old posts about certain information they are searching for. Example: Stem Cell Transplants.
It would even be great to have the NHL subtypes listed, (not just B cell or T cell) Example: Diffused, Follicular, SLL/CLL. And finally in the index, perhaps this should be first, Questions to ask at you first and second visit.

As a group, we are always bumping these posts back up to the main page. Our theory is once it leaves the main page and is out of sight, people seldom look for it. We have to back read to glean information to share, which takes a lot of time. And often we have newbies going for their first appointments that week or stressing over different types of Chemo treatments or have recieved the option of Watchful Waiting, which needs to have it's on heading in the index.
I do not know if this idea applies to non medical issues, but I would think it would be good for any of the groups dealing with mutiple concerns. Currently there are over 30 different type of NHL. I know there are several on here including myself that would gladly assist in coming up with post headings, which could be narrowed down to five and then be further broken down once they open that heading.

Finally, there is a component that may be lost if all this info went to a "New Support Listing" and that is friendship and uplifting support. From what I have observed each big support group seems to have developed core members which field questions and offer moral support. If a spin off group is started there is a strong possibility you would lose those strong supporters. I can see this being a double edge sword as in some groups it would allow the more social aspect which often takes over a group be removed, yet still exist, but often it is those social aspects that keeps people returning. remember facts any issue can be found on the Internet, but it is often hard to add a human personality to just facts. Our group tries to do both, but it would be Definitly easier with an Heading Index.

Thank you for always trying to improve Support Groups and asking our opinion.
Gma KB

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback and comments. We are taking each one of your comments and suggestions into consideration now and will hopefully get them implemented in the near-term. Thank you again!

I agree with all the above and how about a support group for other medications not just the ones listed. And what about a suppport group for something fun? We talk about heavy heavy things on here my social worker thought it would be a good idea to talk about something that was an interest to us and get our minds onto something else when we were feeling bad after we had talked about our feelings, like a hobby, just a thought, Goofy17

I am looking for someone experienced in facilitating a widow/er support group for my residents at a retirement home. If you know of someone in the Washington DC/Maryland area please have them email me at volunteers@thevillageatrockville.org. Our residents are really in need.

I would hope to see a group for the people that were the cheaters in an affair...... Some really do want to mend their marriages and clean up the tsunami they created that ruined the lives around them....

How's about a support group for the English? After all that Boston business, we could do with one. Although I think we can get by. It might be a good heading for general discontent that no-one feels moved to argue against.

I would love a support group for Service Dog Handlers

One thing I have noticed, is that on the incest support group, no one since I joined in Feb, ever talks about how to have a sexual healthy intimate relationship after (incest had occured) with your husband or someone else and how to deal with the struggles and demons that haunt you while intercouse is taking place. Everyone writes about what happened while they were living the abuse, but no one tells how it haunts them sexually when making love to someone they care so deeply for.

I have always said that incest effects a person in 5 areas, Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, Spiritually, and Sexually. I think that is great that people can express themself in the first three areas, but very little is said about their hatred, love or blamimg God for their incest occuring, or how they want and desire a healthy relationship with their soul mate.

I know personally the sexual aspect of a healthy relationship in some ways does exist inside and outside the bedroom, but in other ways I am really messsed up when it comes to inside the bedroom. I have worked through therapy (30 years) on the first 4 areas, but the thought of telling my deep deep dark secrets pertaining to my sex life is an area I have not touched yet and I don't know if I will ever feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings. It is a very private and personal subject.

I guess my question is: Am I the only one who desires a pure wholesome relationship with their husband without the triggers and other thoughts? Does all the other 300 plus people on this sight have with their husband the kind of sexual relationship they are yearning for, or are we all hiding and pretending we do when relly we have many sexual problems? How do you turn off in your mind all the hurt that sex had on you at the hands of your abuser, and then just because you are not with your abuser but a different person, you are suppose to enjoy sex? How do you turn the light switch on and off.

I guess if I was to name the site I would call it Sex after Incest and Rape and the second site I would call: Blaming God, Anger Issues towards God or Walking with God After Experiencing a Sexual Assault.

Just my thoughts.

Victorious

Victorious

That is a fantastic idea, Victorious, a group for "Sex after Incest and Rape"!! I would definitely join that one!

As much as one for nightmares!

Also I don't want to get greedy, but since there is either the general Prescription Drug OR the ones for specific drugs (Adderall, Oxy...) would anyone else prefer or support categories instead? Like anti depressants, opiates (which would be interesting for me), etc.?

A support group for people who have chronic body odor and or Trimethylaminuria.

Ive been wanting to do this and emailed people. I suffer from severe neck pain...I just found out that I need surgery, and would love to hear about people who have gone through this and can share their experiences with me.
We have Groups for Chronic Pain, Back Pain, CFT, Fibromyalgia, Lupus (All of which I have by the way). Just thought it would be a good idea to support people with all types of pain...
Thank you
Shell

The support groups I would like to make or see is Hopelessness, helplessness, fetishes/fantasy, mouth/dentistry problems, worry, christian, gender identity disorder, trauma, TBI, sobriety/recovery, socially awkward, brain damage, siblings, neglect, neck/should problems, groped, passive aggressive, medical procedure, tourettes/tics, stereotypical movement disorder, tremors and virgin/abstinence. Also I don't know how to word this but a support group of friends or family in jail or that have a felony. Also I would like to see a friends and family of a person with a disorders or illness, like eating disorder or a personality disorder or cancer ect... And a support group for people that can't drive.

I would also like make or see a support group where we can share positive fun things and I am not sure what to call it!

I am sorry I know this is a lot and I might even think of more! I am not sure how I would get others to join but the would join any other support group on here!  

i need a group for unhealthy sexual attractions (due to sexual abuse). I watch alot of graphic pornography and I would like to get better about this.

Hi,
I would like to see a group for
Survivors of Child Abuse,as the way it
is now,just Abuse,is too all encompassing.
The child abuse is that bit different from
other types,simply because it DID happen in
childhood,and therefore has its unique aspects
not found in other forms of abuse.As a strong
advocate for recovery of this hellish torment,
I would do all in my power to make it known
this group existed,and because there is so
much of it in society,I'm sure the group
would flourish.
Regards,
jimindigo

Actually I would like to see a report button. Am I blind or don't we have that one? If there is another situation like with departureunknown or right now maximussss we should be able to click on their profile and report them. And if there are more than one or two clicks that person should automatically be blocked until admins got the chance to review the situation.
Sorry, but...thins are getting out of hand here lately...

Also, I've told SG before, but I think we should only be able to get support requests and not have ppl add themselves as supporters. Cause of the above mentioned situation amongst other things.

Eating disorder group for mature women. There are tons for teens but nothing for adult women.

Gout

I hope my openness didn't offend anyone. I'm sorry if it did... Those damn boundary issues.

Im personally not offended by anyones opinions or their views about anything that has been said. We are all here to support each other, and also respect one another...it's an open forum! Its your voice, your thoughts, your opinions and your choices...No one is right or wrong!
If I offended anyone with this post, I sincerely apologize that's not my intention here.
Shell

I would like a group on Chronic Pain Management or more specifically Tendonitus. I have a Repetetive Stress Injury that I am suffering from and it would be nice to see what has worked for others aside from taking prescribed medications.

A Computer Addicts group. Yeah I know, people smirk, laugh and giggle at that, but it's a real issue. Some of us just can't stay away. Computer addicts need to find ways to manage it, since computers are here to stay. They need to moderate it. Some people it controls their lives like cocaine.
I would create a Computer Addicts Awareness Group. Maybe form a buddy system. Would be best if the buddy was local to them, but this is all new, so the odds of that isn't even probable at this time.

Id love a Transgender support group mainly becauseim so young and would love to be able to ask questions of somebody who understands.

Love Addiction. Definitely need that one...

I'm with GMA KB, that before you go put on anymore groups, improving idexing in the serach feature, and way to get to older posts buried in the archives would really mkae a difference. The NHL support group is limping along with OUR BOOK* and the frustration of going back to older posts when there is over ninety pages to look at is overwhelming, and discouraging when the link to older posts disappears. The indexing is not always helpful, as some of our threads are hundreds of pages, and some fabulous support, information, and humor is lost in the vast verbiage vacuum of the archives. A page number in the thread would be helpful
;-)
*LymphoManiacs: Lymphoma, Laughter, and Living in the Moment.
follows a perfectly ordinary person, who deals with an overwhleming life changing lymphoma dx, and whose questions, fears, et al are addressed by our very own support group, from the people who gave permission.

Geri, I took a look. The index runs to 57 pages, with the earliest post being June 2009. Is this when this group started, or do posts fall over a cliff at some point?

I just recently lost my son who was 9 just short a few days of being 10. We had a long battle of severe handicaps. He was not supposed to live past 6 months old. He was a ray of sunshine. However it was a long 9yrs of grief, tears heartache, happiness giggles ,joy and life lessons. This loss is one a mother should never not have to endure. Maybe a support group for Parents of Disabled children or terminally ill

Just read a thread under the Grief group. Where a 28 year old lost a parent (father). Made a good point, about not having a more specific group for that. Maybe "Loss of a Parent" or Loss of a Loved one". Thought it made sense. So I remembered, you'se were asking for suggestions. Thanks, Ed

just wondering where ROSS is..haven't seen a post in a looong time, and the NHL group misses his wise words.

I would like to see a support group of listings for housing...I'm currently living "stuck" with my husband like room mates with him spending days away from home as if he were single...I'm forced to stay in this situation until I've saved enough monies to get out. In the meanwhile, I've still got to live and try to cope under these stressful conditions. If there were listings of safe reliable halfway house where other people in similar situation can go. It would be benifitcial for both I.e. shared housing could help pay mortgage for those who spouse has split..etc..I know there's places like Craigslist but that is usually for younger people...etc..just thinking women with kids etc might need support with finding housing....

All I want to know is...what does the "flag" do?

Hey that's a good ?. Don't want to click it and set off the fire alarm LOL.

The flag was created cause we were having trouble with abusive members on here. I don't know about the other groups, but we had trouble in Rape/Sexual Abuse/Incest Survivors, ppl telling other members they had deserved to be raped, telling them they'd "find them" and "then some", etc. It was getting way out of hand.
So you can flag an abusive post (not if you simply "don't like it" but really if it's hurting or threatening ppl) and the mods will check it out and take it down and/or ban the member who posted it.

WOW that is a good thing to know and a good thing for you guys. Thanks for the answer!

!

Tony, you should not hold onto that grudge any longer, you did get the Olympics...of course we did start Starbucks! That will teach you to over tax our caffeen! HAHA
Gma KB

The amount of caring here is heart warming. I am new but am wondering "is there a downside to adding support groups?" I would hate to see participation spread so thin that the existing support groups lose some of the dynamics.

Very true!

Antisocial Personality Disorder. We aren't all evil ax murderers.

I think that some should be more specific. Like, you should click on. 'Grief', and it'll bring you to a page with different topics within the main one, like 'Loss of Immediate Family', 'Loss of Relative', and then 'Loss of Pet'', just for example. And under the Single Parent, it should have one for the ones with younger kids, and one for single parents of older children, like, 10+. I've noticed that most in that category have little kids only.