In July, I celebrate 16 years hospital-free. How is it that I managed to stay on the outside for so long? In a moment, I'll talk about what you can do to increase your chances, too.
Before I do, I have some exciting news: SchizophreniaConnection will post next week a two-part interview I conducted with Dr. Xavier Amador, the author of I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help! I've recommended this book to family members whose loved ones lack insight that they have schizophrenia. The author, an esteemed psychologist, has helped over ten thousand people convince their loved ones to accept treatment since his book was first published in 1997. It was updated in 2007.
Now I'll move on to some ideas I have for staying out of the hospital long-term.
First, if you haven't, read my blog entry, Seven Steps to Recovery. That's a good companion to the following suggestions:
1. Consider one-on-one sessions with an objective yet empathetic therapist.
When I was released from the hospital in 1987, my mother paid for me to see someone privately. Once a week I'd drive to Dongan Hills and talk about what was going on. For nearly a year, I was quiet, barely saying anything and staring off at the wall beyond his face. I had chosen to enter therapy with Angelo because he was the supervisor on the inpatient unit and had visited me there, inquiring about my favorite rock-n-roll bands and taking an interest in me and my life as a disc jockey. At the time, I felt he wanted to drum up business, and this impressed me. Three days after I was released, I phoned his office to make an appointment.
One-on-one sessions are vital in unlocking your recovery because often there are things you don't want to tell anyone—not your parents, and not your friends, either. In Angelo's room, I felt for the first time like someone listened to me, accepted me without judgment, and let me be who I wanted to be. Having a therapist who "gets it" and is there for you, even if you sit in the chair without speaking for moments at a time, is the best kind of solid, steady encouragement. We need such "gateway relationships" in the early years.
As you progress in your recovery, and fall out of therapy, you may reach a point years or even a decade later when you need a booster. Three years ago I was at a point in my life where I sought individual help again, and it has worked out well. Attending therapy isn't a sign of weakness; indeed, years ago I read somewhere that people in therapy often go on to double their incomes. Additionally, with the right counselor, it will increase your self-confidence, enabling you to take new risks and plan for the future.
2. See a psychiatrist once a month instead of every three months.
This way, she can observe your symptoms and recommend dose changes, and give you information about the drugs you're taking and what they're supposed to do. (Review my blog entry, Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor.) I don't recommend seeing your pdoc less often, even if you're fairly stable and feel you could stretch it every three months. Often, things build up slowly and then they become crises. It's better to monitor your mental health on an ongoing basis so that the psychiatrist can make changes before things get out of hand. I've had three doctors in 21 years: the first I saw for 11 years (he was more of a happy-go-lucky friend), the second (a dismal failure) for five years, and the current guy (a true professional) for five years now. He's a keeper. If you and your pdoc feel you could meet every two months, consider that; however, I wouldn't go longer without a visit.
