Self help

Video content - self-help

Self-help, along with medical / therapeutic treatment, is one of the established measures for overcoming many problems.

Self-help are strategies for solving problems or finding solutions alone or in a group. A self-help group is a group of people who share the same problem or have the same concern. Typical problems include dealing with chronic diseases, life crises, addiction, etc. However, there are also self-help groups that are open to specific topics, e.g. men's groups.

Essentially, relevant experiences and information are exchanged, which should provide practical but also emotional support. Furthermore, the community provides motivation and emotional support. Information about the existing and individual self-help groups can often already be provided by the family doctor. A course at the adult education centre or other institutes can also be the solution to a problem and help to cope with stress or anxiety.

A conversation with good friends, relatives or empathetic partners can also be very helpful - often simply through warmth and understanding. A guide from the book trade can also help to get life under control again with the necessary specialist knowledge. On the Internet you will find suggestions and forums on all kinds of topics. They should help to draw strength around and solve the problems.

Questions and answers

What obligations do you have in a self-help group?

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You only have the obligations that you are prepared to enter into yourself. If there are small organisational tasks that have to be done to guarantee that the meeting will run smoothly, the tasks will be spread over as many shoulders as possible.

How do you find the right group for you?

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Where you can find the right group for yourself, you will find charitable associations, public institutions, health insurance companies, the city administration and search engines on the Internet.

Are professionals like for example psychologists also present in a support group?

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As a rule, the groups are there to help each other. Depending on the wishes of the participants, experts can certainly be invited. But in the normal case no professional is there.

What can a support group do what not?

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A self-help group is an opportunity for the affected person or his relatives to exchanges views with like-minded people. It can help out of isolation and show you new ways. However, this does not replace a therapy.

Checklist

Personal interest exists Own problem detected Decision made to help yourself Gained knowledge to one's own problem Open talk with a trusted adult Consultation with a doctor Informed about different solution strategies

Helpful Links

What do I have

About the website "What do I have" medical students easily explain patient findings. In addition, you can look up basic terms to better understand them.