Common Questions

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04800640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B> DBSA METRO ATLANTA</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B>    |   </B></FONT><B>  </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" DBSA METRO ATLANTA"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="locations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Locations/Meeting Times"><U><B>Locations/Meeting Times</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="speakers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming Guest Speakers"><U><B>Upcoming Guest Speakers</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Common Questions</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Common Questions</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Important information regarding our groups. Make sure you read first before attending a meeting!</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1.  Who can attend the groups? </B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Our support groups are open to anyone with a mood disorder, like bipolar disorder or depression, as well as to caring family members and friends of those affected by these illnesses. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Please realize that our groups focus strictly on mood disorders although an individual may have an additional, coexisting diagnosis. For example, someone may have bipolar disorder while at the same time be dealing with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. (He or she does not solely deal with an alcohol addiction.)</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>More specific considerations:</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>If you are a patient</U></I><I>: You need to have a diagnosed mood disorder and be under the care of a physician to attend our groups. You need to be stable and compliant with any medications prescribed by your physician.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>If you are a family member/friend</U></I><I>: You are invited to our groups; the meetings are enhanced by having parents, significant others, siblings, friends, etc. in attendance. </I><I>Please understand, however, that time is limited at our support groups and, depending on attendance, we must first give attention to patients. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>If you are a psychology, nursing or medical student, mental health professional or representative of any organization (clinical trials firm, pharmaceutical company, etc.) and your visit relates to your work</U></I><I>: Please contact us in advance by sending an e-mail with the nature of your visit to:</I><A HREF="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com"><U><I> </I></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com"><U><I>info@AtlantaMoodSupport.com</I></U></A></FONT><I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>2.  What are our groups like?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>The size and composition of our groups varies from meeting to meeting. Typically, you'll find a fairly broad range of ages and backgrounds and a mixture of patients and family/friends. You are invited to attend as many different meetings at various locations each month as you choose. Check our  </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#999900" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="calendar.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U><B>calendar</B></U></A></FONT><I> or our </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#999900" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="locations.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Locations/Meeting Times"><U><I><B>locations/meeting times</B></I></U></A></FONT><I> page for details. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Regardless of the location, you will find a core of fairly regular attendees coupled with newcomers at most any meeting. Many groups, depending on attendance, sometimes break out into smaller subgroups based on special interest such as couples support, depression support, bipolar support, family support, etc. </I></div> <bR> <div> <B>3.  Is there a charge to attend the meetings?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>There is no charge to attend our meetings. However, we do encourage membership which includes a subscription to our bimonthly newsletter. Membership is $15.00 per year. You may join on-line by credit card or by mail with a check. </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#999900" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="memberships.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U><I><B>Learn more</B></I></U></A></FONT><I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>4.  Are the meetings  confidential?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Absolutely. The meetings provide an opportunity for those with a mutual burden to share openly in an atmosphere where everyone respects each others' privacy. Those who attend are expected to share nothing outside the meetings.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>5.  What time do the meetings start and how long do they last?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>Meeting start times vary depending on the location. Please consult the calendar and meeting schedule. Most meetings last about an 1 1/2 hours. Please arrive on time.</I><I><B> If you arrive late, you may share if time permits. </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>6.  How are the meetings conducted? </B></div> <bR> <div> <I>The meetings are rather informal; however, they are facilitated by a trained volunteer. The main purpose of the meetings is to give people an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with the other group members. </I><I>At most groups, there are people who have attended meetings in the past who are familiar with the process. If you prefer to just listen at your first meeting, that's fine.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>The format and style of the various meetings varies somewhat depending on the location. Meetings also vary from time-to-time depending on the group composition. That's one of the unique, dynamic features of a support group. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Please realize that these groups are general in nature and do not focus on particular issues per se. Also, because we must give adequate time for all those in attendance to share. </I></div> <bR> <div> <B>7.  What happens if a facilitator doesn't show up?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>This rarely happens, but there may be an occasion when last minute circumstances prevent a facilitator from being able to attend a meeting. If a facilitator fails to show up for a support group, those in attendance should proceed by discussing matters mutually beneficial for everyone present. If people are uncomfortable with a particular subject or question, hold it for the following meeting. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Usually there will be someone there who has attended the group previously. That individual can help lead the meeting. We appreciate your understanding. </I></div> <bR> <div> <B>8.  What if I have a question that is not addressed here?</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>No problem. You can e-mail us and just ask. Our e-mail address is:</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@atlantamoodsupport.com"><U><I>info@atlantamoodsupport.com</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>We look forward to seeing you at a support group soon!</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>