by Wendy Woodrow
When I was first diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, I felt like I was the only person with the condition as I didn't know of anybody else that had it. My family and friends were extremely supportive and said they understood what I was going through, however I could not see how they could relate to my situation. My GP didn't have the answers that I was looking for and I looked for the backup of a support group to enable me to contact people with the same condition. Through the involvement of the groups I have found the healing power of expressing my feelings and discussing my situation with like-minded people tremendous. Support groups are so effective because they provide people with a sense of normalisation, acceptance and understanding. It is reassuring to see others who look like you and have shared similar experiences. People who have gone through the same thing are often the best source of concrete, practical advice.
