should i try to get into group therapy to find friends? the kind that doesn't require a diagnosis. any experiences?originally i did want to try to find autism-related group therapy groups, but since my psychiatrist didn't find enough proof of autism from my childhood, i didn't get any diagnosis. and yeah those usually seem more structured and they require you to have a diagnosis.i haven't had friends or even acquaintances since i was 14. my brother was the same, but he got into group therapy for eating disorders recently (he was in the hospital once and that qualified him) and immediately got his first friend in 10 years.
>>34493881no, get a hobby. but the group therapy might help
>>34493963any suggestions? i already tried an art club at university, but noone talked to me. yknow when you try to chat with someone and they give one word responses, and then soon enough you realize everyone has already formed these tight-knit friend groups that aren't open.i never really had hobbies as a kid other than drawing bc it's cheap.
>>34493974try new things. i don't know what you like. >ceramics studio>club sports>rock climbing gym>comedyUse your brain!
>>34493991i tried to imply something that doesn't cost money, but sure i'll try to think of something. at this point i'd try anything if it has a decent chance of me getting a friend.
>>34494000oh, i didn't pick up on that for some autistic reason. hmm, free things, i think of running, basketball, outdoor stuff, yoga,i think there's a free dance club in my area lol. or maybe like a movie club that has a $10 ticket every few events.volunteering is free too, i used to volunteer at a greenhouse and my friend did at a soup kitchen
>>34494010volunteering at a greenhouse sounds amazing. my town isn't very big, so i don't think there are many volunteering options, but that must be up there for "friend finding potential". ty for the suggestions anon
>>34493974Language classes are good. Spot the class extrovert or the class healthy person and try and become friends. This is harder if you are fat or ugly or both
>>34494023i did minor in russian, and tried to befriend people in the classes, but it was hard because essentially everyone else had russian as a second language and they weren't still learning it like i was. everyone seemed equally introverted, there was no noticeable class extrovert lmao. but i do still consider language classes a good option, maybe i'll just try another language at some point.
>>34494049>first language*oops
>>34493881The effectiveness of group therapy is sharply reduced if you're all friends. It's supposed to be work, not fun.
>>34494082definitely. but he did admit he doesn't think he has any eating disorder, he just has that adhd/autism/whatever thing where he forgets to eat. still needed help with it but probably not group therapy. but it's better than no help at all i suppose. nonetheless i am happy for him that he got a friend from there, and it's all he talks about recently. and considering they are now friends, they'll likely be put in separate groups after summer.
>>34493881Ask at your local library if they do any social events, mine does.
