Recovery

Symptoms from a psychiatric illness don't have to disable you.  While symptoms can be annoying or even frightening at times, they don't have to keep you from holding a job, having friends or living a normal life.  Many people who suffer from symptoms have learned ways to cope. 

Stay on your medication--If you are on medication, and it works to ease the symptoms, stay on it.  Sometimes people stop taking their medication when they start to feel better.  When they stop taking it, the symptoms reappear.  The right combination of medication, therapy, and self-help can help you get your life back on track.

Listen to  your body--Know when your medication feels "right."  When you're physically ill or under stress, your medication might not work as well.  If your medication feels "wrong," see your doctor right away and work together to adjust your medication.  Also, make sure to eat right, get enough sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs not prescribed by your doctor.

Use your support systems--Use family and friends to help you through the rough times.  Let them know about your illness and the warning signs of when you are becoming depressed.  Make a contract with them so they can help you when you start to become ill.  When you begin to act a certain way, they can give you support.  One way to make sure you are in control of your life should you experience an increase in symptoms is to work with your therapist on a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), which is a written plan that defines everything from your typical level of functioning, to the coping skills that work for you, to the level of symptoms that indicates hospitalization may be necessary.  You can even designate the medications that do and don't work for you and treatment preferences.  Your therapist keeps a copy of this plan, and you also give copies to the main members of your support system.

Learn and practice coping methods for various symptoms--If you hear voices, for example, there are things you can do to mask them.  Many people find it helpful to listen to music through headphones or listen to a tape of positive affirmations.  If you suffer from panic attacks, learn different methods for calming and self-soothing, such as relaxation, visualization, and reminding yourself of the limits of the attack and that you are not going to die from it. There are countless skills and behaviors that can be useful with everything from anxiety, depression, and stress, to more severe mental illnesses.  Talk with a therapist and/or do research on your own to find new ideas to try and keep a list of what works for you.

To find more resources on recovery, visit http://www.namiscc.org/MentalHealthRecovery.htm