CHOICES II-0 - Starting Over

Nor can we blame our illness on others.  They are no more responsible for our plight than we are.  By the same token, we can't be held responsible for the choices others make in response to our illness, unless we've deliberately forced one choice versus another upon them.

The point of departure for the journey of recovery is our acceptance of the fact that we have a mental illness.  Some of us, especially those who do not initially realize they are ill, need assistance in getting to that point.  This usually requires the intervention of a provider [a mental health care professional] and sometimes the courts.  Should they choose to undertake the challenge, family members and/or friends can provide valuable assistance in making our journey of recovery possible simply by getting us to the point of departure.  Their advice along the way can also help make our journey successful.

So what exactly is this mysterious "journey of recovery" that everyone is constantly babbling about?  When we think of a journey, the first question that comes to mind is - What is the destination?  We might reasonably assume that the destination of our journey of recovery is to be "cured" of our schizophrenia, much as one can be cured of bacterial pneumonia or strep throat through the use of antibiotics.  But medical science has yet to develop such a cure for schizophrenia.  In the absence of an outright cure, the "destination" of our journey of recovery is to continuously strive for a state of mind, body and soul that is as close to a cure a we can possibly be.  It's like the old tale of the frog that with each leap gets halfway to the finish line from his latest position.  The frog will never reach the finish line, but if it perseveres it can get very close to it.

I believe there are three major milestones along the way in our journey of recovery, each to be achieved in turn, each building on its predecessor.  The first is functionality, which is the foundation for all that is to come.  The second is wellness, and the third is fulfillment.

The hallmark of functionality is stability, both in our own minds and in the assessments of others.  We can achieve this even in the midst of both internal and external chaos.  We'll know we've achieved wellness when our symptoms are under control, we're happy with ourselves; and when we enjoy the benefits of self-respect.  Fulfillment comes when we find ourselves able, in whatever capacity, to make a positive contribution to society, to be doing something that makes this a better world.

It's important to remember that the journey of recovery for each of us involves a unique route.  The three milestones for any one of us may be placed at different points along the way for others.  And the terrain we must transverse is often very different.  What constitutes functionality, wellness, and fulfillment for any one of us may not be achievable by some and may not be sufficient for many others.  The true measure of achievement is in comparing ourselves today with where we were in our journey yesterday.