Question of the Week - Recovery

When I was a Peer-to-Peer mentor for NAMI, I taught a nine-week class on recovery techniques.  We developed a Relapse Prevention Plan I created for myself as well and placed in a binder.  I recommend that you take the Peer-to-Peer class if you want to manage your recovery better.  There's also a WRAP plan you can use, I'll research it and get back to you.

My top 3 coping skills:

1. Taking medication,

2. Friendships,

3. Doing the things I love, like writing.

Working at the job I love was the key reason I was able to recover.  Had I not found something that excited me to get up in the morning, it would be a lot harder.  Even though living in the City can be stressful, I know that if I still worked in business, I'd have a much harder time of it and probably not be doing well.

Lastly, I feel that if I didn't see my psychiatrist every month things might slide and I'd have to catch up.

I'll return here after everyone else has had a chance to post.

Christina

The are alot of things I do for recovery. First and fore most taking meds. I take my meds the same time everyday..no days off...been there done that. I am big on the med part. Meds are the foundation upon which I can live a good life. No illegal drugs or alcohol. Excerise, diet, sleep, support, getting out and about, keeping my mind moving forward are key elements. And last but not least routine ECT's. I "push" out the voices.

Relapse prevention also involves knowing my symptoms. When I start to get in a "funky" mood, Margaret picks up on it, she will do what needs to be done. I also do a great deal of writing. Most of it is upbeat, there are times when I need help. Reaching out when help is needed is important.

The plan is when I need to be in the hospital, then that's where I should be.

Dave

My main focus, in recovery, was ,and is, routine. Finding a routine and sticking to it like glue can do a body a world of good.     And it doesn't have to be a huge undertaking.    There are people I know who volunteer for just a few hours a week but they would never miss their work - time.      So  as you can see, routine can make a difference in someones life, which otherwise may have been neglected.

I like to do things in a routine way.     Not dull, mind you, as most of you are now with this script.      So  I'll routinely say goodbye!

Relapse prevention means understanding that the schizophrenia mutates, symptoms change into something else over time.  So any unusual or funky repetitive habit of thought should be brought up with your psychiatrist.  I learned this a couple years after my recent troubles.  I believe the SZ inserts itself into your brain in ways that wrap around what's going on in your life.  Years ago I was involved in an incident that left what my therapist called an "imprinting" on me, and I understand that ever since then I've been sensitive to what goes on among people in the City.

So I would say to be aware of subtle shifts in thinking and talk to your psychiatrist as soon as you experience a new thought or mood that could be a symptom.  I hadn't known that what was going on was related to the SZ, and now I do.

Christina

Besides taking medication, which would be #1, I have found that avoiding stress has eased my way into recovery.  But what is stressful changes over time.  At first I had to stop trying to work -- I had tried about 10 jobs and was not able to work very long at any of them.  So I gave myself as much time off as I needed in order to start feeling better.  As a matter of fact, that was in 2004 and I still have not gone to work again because I intuitively feel it might undo the great strides in recovery that I have made so far.  But slowly, I am adding things like a little volunteer work and getting involved more in social situations.  I try not to schedule more than 2 or 3 things to do each week, like going to church or eating lunch with a friend.  Any more than that and I feel the negative effects.

Also, I have not given up on doing anything.  I may work again some day. I may write music again.  After years, I finally find myself able to read a book and go to a movie again.  And I have started painting once more.  Every once in a while, during recovery, I would "test" myself and see what I was able to do.  I feel like reading again has opened a whole new vista of life and learning.  Now, I feel anything is possible.

Another thing is, I have returned to my spiritual roots and find comfort in attending church with friends and reading in my Bible.

And lastly, throughout my illness and recovery, I have been able to write poetry that describes how I feel and how I see the world.  It is fascinating to go back and read poetry I wrote in the late 90's when I the sz was at its worst.  And it makes me grateful for how my life has changed for the better since then.

Carolyn

The first thing I feel about what it takes for recovery is accepting the fact that a person has an illness and that their life no doubt will change. I also feel a very important key is to find a doctor you like and can trust. Also the proper medication is also a very important and a person must be dedicated to take the prescribed medication in the manner your doctor told you and to let the doctor know about any serious side effects. Finally and by no means last is a good support system. For me that is my family and the support they have given ever since I was first diagnosed.

I would like to close by saying websites like this one and the people here are also very important to me and for that I say Thank you.

Have a Good Day,

Janet

Hello,

Recovery is an ongoing process that requires medication, support (on-line or off-line), and consistency with these elements. I am overcoming schizophrenia due to an early diagnosis and following through on a regular medication regimen. Also, my family played a critical role in my recovery- visiting me daily in the hospital, going to support meetings with me, and doing research on my illness. Also, recovery takes time- I took a break from work and school to go to a day treatment program for people with mental illnesses. I am still recovering.

Finding the right medication combination was vital to moving me towards recovery and away from relapse, but it took a lot of patience--so I'd say to practice patience, cultivate gratitude, stay creative.  I'm also a firm believer in talk therapy.  I was fortunate in that I found a good therapist to work with nearly from the beginning of my psychosis.  Over the years she has given me practical advice and guidance; she has provided me with many reality checks.  Individual therapy combined with group support and therapy are powerful tools for self awareness and healing.  Therapeutic contact with others cuts through the natural tendency to isolate oneself.  Writing in a journal and/or blogging is a great outlet and meaningful work.  

I have prevented relapse several times by being vigilant to the warning signs.  First I work at being as honest with myself as possible.  Journaling really helps with this, either writing it out or talking into a tape recorder and listening back to it.  I pay close attention to what has triggered my delusions and paranoia in the past.  I talk it out with someone, preferably my therapist.  If the symptoms persist, I contact my psychiatrist and increase the dosage of my medication, at least temporarily.  I try to focus on some creative project instead of my budding delusion or paranoia.  I remain gentle with myself and take it one day at a time.  

My psycologist advised me to do what I would do when I was not suffering from schizophrenia to improve my daily routine.I was a student when I got this disease.Fortunately after two years I got admission in post graduate diploma in bioinformatics as I was a science student and I was interested in my subjects also I really enjoyed studying,it really helped in recovery and prevented relapse.Now I have come to know the meaning of life.Taking medicine regularly is as important as taking food plus doing things of interest is also helpful in recovery.