DESTINATION RECOVERY;

If you live with mental illness, you may be struggling to find treatment, manage your medication and cope with life’s challenges effectively. There is ample cause for hope. You are not alone, help is available, mental health conditions are treatable, and you can take practical steps to recover your life.

There are many interactive tools and resources to help you better understand your treatment options by working closely with your health care provider, learn about the supports available to you, and start on your recovery journey. Getting treatment for your mental health condition is the first of many things you can do for your own recovery.

After receiving a diagnosis of mental illness, it is common to experience a range of emotions. For some people, a diagnosis can be a relief in that they are finally able to put a name to a problem. For others, it can be a major blow. They may experience fear, anger, denial, shame or sadness, or they may wonder, “Why did this happen to me?” “How will this affect my life?” or “What will people think of me?”
Being told that you have a mental illness is not the end of the world. With help and support, you can recover and achieve your life’s ambitions.

Of course, you will face many challenges as you begin your treatment, but there is hope. Mental illnesses are manageable. And there are a number of things you can do for yourself after a diagnosis to cope with the news, keep up with your treatment, and support your own recovery.

Be hopeful and Have Faith in yourself;

Above all else, it’s important to maintain a positive outlook. Here are a few things to keep in mind throughout your treatment and recovery:
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You are not alone in this experience. Mental illnesses are common, affecting one in every five Americans.
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You can improve and achieve your goals. Today, many people who are diagnosed with serious mental illnesses are managing their conditions and regaining control of their lives.
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You can and should play an active role in your treatment. And the more informed you are about your illness and treatment options, the better you’ll be able to direct your recovery.
Learn all you can about your diagnosis.

If you’re ready, do some research on your particular illness, the recommended treatments, and other self-help ideas. The more you learn, the better you’ll be in working with your doctor and making decisions that feel right for you. Knowledge is necessary!

Again, talk to people who have had similar experiences, or mental health professionals you know and trust. The Internet can be a great resource for information about mental illnesses and treatment options. There are a number of websites, On-Line support groups such as Bipolar 4 Life Support, many organizations such as NAMI.org.

However, beware of websites that offer quick fixes, and never take the advice of any individual whether claiming to be a Dr. or what have you, always I can’t emphasize enough, before making any adjustments to your treatment call and speak with your Dr. ASAP, remember we are all equals, and may have the “same titled diagnosis” but we all differ when it comes to our treatment, meaning what works for one of us may not, or may be dangerous to another!

Get emotional support.

An important step in coping with a diagnosis is finding emotional support. Talk to friends and family members you feel close to and trust. They care about you and want to help you recover. Discuss your feelings about the diagnosis and any treatments or services that have been recommended.

Don’t be afraid to let people know how to help you. This support will be important, both as you begin your recovery and when you have to deal with any setbacks along the way. Also, you may want to meet people who have already been through what you are currently experiencing. This can help you prepare for what’s ahead
and help you avoid any problems others may have been through in their recovery.

This is where support groups and or organizations can be of help, whether it be on-line or locally near you it is important in anyone’s recovery to build a support system, the point is, don’t be afraid to reach out, you will be suprised after joining in one, or the other just how many people you will meet struggling through the same as you, and you can share, and learn from each others coping mechanisms. This will also take some of the feeling’s you may have of loneliness away as well, you don’t want to start to isolate.

Understand your health care options.

Getting the services you need and paying for them can be a challenge. Your options may be limited by whether or not you have insurance, the type of insurance you have, and the amount of coverage your plan provides for mental health care. There also may be a shortage of mental health professionals where you live, and it can be tough to get an appointment. But, remember, there are options.

Follow the steps below to learn more about your options:
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If you’re employed and have a health plan, call your health insurer to see if they cover mental health services. Then find out which mental health professionals in your area are willing to accept your insurance plan.
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If you get health care through a government program like Medicaid or Medicare, you should contact a community mental health center or local health department to see which doctors or programs accept this form of health insurance.
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If you don’t have health insurance, ask your community mental health center about reduced-cost (or sliding- scale fee)
Develop a partnership with your doctor and/or therapist.
Once you have received a diagnosis and are in contact with a doctor or a mental health professional, here’s what you need to know about making the most of these relationships from the start:
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Make sure it’s the right fit for you. If possible, interview multiple Doctors, don’t be afraid to meet with more than one. Although going at this alone is extremely difficult, that is one of the reasons a support system is vital! You’ll want to find a doctor, mental health professional or peer counselor with whom you can relate. Ask them about what treatment’s they have used in the past with other patients in which had the most success, and experiences helping other people with your particular illness.
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Be open with your doctor or therapist.

Share how you’re really feeling. Go to your appointments with a list of questions you may have about your
diagnosis, Mood Tracking/Charting is a great asset for you, by being able to reflect back when feelings come upon you, and you learn to notice your Triggers, as well as show the Psychiatrist treating you, and or Therapists when there is loss of memory, and or find it hard to Voice, sometimes writing it down is easier than explaining it verbally.

After starting a course of treatment, you should begin to notice changes: relief from your symptoms, greater self esteem-confidence, and greater ability to make decisions. You should tell the doctor or therapist about your progress, or if you are having any problems. Don’t be afraid to voice your concerns.

You can find a Mood Tracker/Chart on Bipolar 4 Life Support Home Page @

http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.com

See the “Tab Mood Chart” it is a printable version, and very simple to use, with much space for writing.

If you prefer to make a list of questions than do so, it is all about whatever works for you in your recovery!
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Involve your family and friends in your treatment, if you’re comfortable with that. Invite them to accompany you to an appointment, or to sit in on a therapy session.

Getting the right help requires Self-Advocacy. Take advantage of the options you have and continue to search for other ways to meet your needs.

Remember – getting back to your life is the GOAL to RECOVERY:)