Choosing the best bulimia support group is a personal decision, and the group that is perfect for one person may not prove best for another. You may compare groups based on the person who will lead it, the topics that will be discussed, and whether or not family members and friends are allowed to attend. You may also consider whether a support group meeting will be easy for you to travel to before you make a decision. Additionally, you may ask the support group leader to allow you to sit in on a meeting before you join. This way, you can determine whether or not you will be comfortable with the format before you make a commitment.
The leadership of a bulimia support group will typically prove important when you are trying to make the best choice. Most support groups of this type are led by a therapist, nurse, or an individual who has suffered from bulimia in the past. Any of these people may be qualified to run a support group, but you may have a preference of one over another. For example, you may feel most comfortable in a support group led by a therapist trained in helping people with eating disorders. On the other hand, you may feel better understood if you choose a group led by a person who has struggled with bulimia himself.
You may also consider the topics that will be discussed and the people who will be allowed to attend a bulimia support group before making a decision. For example, you may prefer a group in which any topic is acceptable. On the other hand, however, you might feel your needs are better served by a group that sticks to discussing bulimia only rather than family, relationships, and other topics. Likewise, you may prefer a group that allows family members and friends to visit, or you may feel most comfortable attending a group that is for bulimics only.
One important consideration for choosing the best bulimia support group is one that many people overlook: convenience. You may do well to choose a bulimia support group that is conveniently located near your home, school, or place of employment. You may also take steps to ensure that it offers plenty of parking spaces or is near public transportation if you do not have a car. This is important because you may be less likely to attend support group meetings if traveling to them is difficult. With a conveniently located group, there is less chance that you will find excuses to miss meetings.
