Good morning Mark. I have been concerned about you as of late to be honest. I don't think that you should self diagnose. But it's good that you have an awareness of your situation. That is the first step. Now that you are aware that you are uncomfortable in some social situations which actually makes sense being that you like to be in the company of your squirrels and the outdoors, perhaps it's time to set a goal to be more inclusive with others. Set your sights for next Friday put it on your calendar and make sure this time you go. You can do this Mark 🌈🌈🌈🌈♥️👍🌞

One of my groups is full of people who I don't relate to, they do not work and I do-as well as volunteer and participate in athletic groups, and that's OK a lot of HIVers cannot, but this particular group are trying to always game the system, have addictions, are ho's and drink all day then gossip on top of that like they are saints. It is a toxic group. Just because I avoid that group doesn't mean I have a phobia, DSM or social issue, it means I made a healthy choice to be around healthier people.

I understand Mark. I belonged to one years ago when I lived in Chicago. In fact I belong to several. I found that they weren't for me in particular only because there was an overall sense of death and bitterness amongst a lot of the long-term survivors and I came in all bouncy and happy and full of life ...so the chemistry didn't really work. For me ,...I was better off one-on-one in cognitive therapy with a specialist.🌈♥️🌞👋👍😁

For the longest time I avoided my local ASO like the plague. I wasn't interested in Support Groups mainly because I thought they were a waste of time and wouldn't provide anything meaningful to me. I also wasn't really ready to come to terms with my status and what it meant to me. I think that would be the hill I would die on is being in denial. Then after years of therapy I finally said "what the Hell, what do I have to loose" and went. Now I find myself not only in a support group that I look forward to, but I am also involved in peer-support weekly as well. Sure I was scared. I didn't know who I would run into that I might know. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about discussing certain topics. I was skeptical that it could be helpful to me. But throwing myself in, not listening to the inner skeptic, ignoring the doubts and fears I threw myself in. Like I said now I can't picture myself not going. I have met a good group of people all from different ages and backgrounds and I am so very grateful for that. I think my point is that you could be missing out on something so incredible and for what? Why? Give it that chance it deserves and if you don't like it at least you can say you went.

Robhllywd Good Morning,
Its true, some of the group meetings can have a somewhat negative force, hence my apprehension of going to the Brighton Group meeting. However the London gay mens positive group is much more laid back, and you can leave early if you get fed up.