Revision

Grade:  0 – no grade

Sometimes on Television, in movies, or out on the street, I see the appearances and actions of the people who have psychological disturbance. I judge them harshly without understanding. I see them as evil, weird, dangerous, and hopeless. I want to avoid and get away from them so I am not influenced or affected by them. It is estimated by National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) that 1 in 25 people is having severe mental illness. Personally by having a mental illness and struggle with it and taking effort to heal to the point of recovery, I start to understand and feel hopeful. By working through my mental issues with the healing team, I gain my hope and motivation for a normal, satisfied life again. Actually recovery from mental illness is possible through the self-management of six dimensions of mental health: maintain the physical, having enough finance, take low dose medications, work with a psychotherapist, having social support, and using alternative or supplemental treatment.

First, I need to manage the dimension of physical. Liked the old saying that a healthy mind in a healthy body, it is recommended for me to do moderate exercise liked walking or jogging about 30-45 minutes, 3-4 times a week to release endorphins, which is a natural pain killer, into the blood stream so that I feel more energetic and uplifting. Physical exercise also helps me to sleep better and to release negative feeling and stresses. If not physical exercise, I can learn to do house work around the house to get the blood flowing. Exercise also improves image and confident level, making a person quicker and stronger.

Second, I need to manage the dimension of financial. Studies have shown that those who live in poverty or lack have higher change of mental issues. In fact worry and depression are part of their life. Furthermore, frustration and impatience, relational conflicts are resulted from limited financial resource. If the person has mental illness, he can apply for Social Security Income (SSI) and later on can work part time to earn additional income. The government has incentive and encourages individual to go to work while working on recovery till gaining independence. There are many individuals who recovery fully and working full time within their capabilities and functionalities.

Third, I need to manage the dimension of bio-chemistry or physiological, which is taking psychoactive medications for balancing the neuron-transmitter in the brain. By consulting the psychiatrist and following his diagnosis and prescription, I take the combination of medications for the effect and the side effects. It takes time to adjust the right combination and the right doses so I need to be patient, cooperative, and trusting my doctor. Beside medication, I also take supplement of vitamins and mineral such as B6 and B12, and fish oil Omega 3 for helping my nervous system. Furthermore I adjust my diet by eating lots of vegetable and fruits as a new requirement of nutrition for my mental health.

Fourth, I need to see the psychologist for psychotherapy purpose. He is going to work with my mind and my heart by listening and addressing my distorted thinking and irrational beliefs. He will work with my past upbringing in my dysfunctional family where I was mistreated and as a result, have to learn to adapt by developing many self defeating behaviors. He will help me to unlearn those habits. He also works with my communication and relationship skill by learning how to be assertive and keep the personal and interpersonal boundary. He can help me to ask for my needs without appear to be needy. He also helps me to overcome core issues such as trust, and self-esteems. He can help me with anger management, conflict resolution, goal setting, relaxation technique, addiction control, interpreting of dreams. He will direct me to make wise choices. He also works to help solving problem of depression and anxiety by processing unresolved grief. He can help to provide motivation and hope of healing and clarification of values. Seeing a psychotherapist is important for mental health because it helps to resolve issues at the unconscious and subconscious level.

Fifth, I need to manage the social dimension by asking support from family, friends, and the community around me. I need to inform and educate them about my illness and how I behave and respond in various situations when I am sick or under stress so that they can support and empathize. One way is to go to the community clinic and club house or wellness centers where there are many peer mentors to help and facilitate groups that catering on my issues or mental health. There I can interact with fellow patients to find out more about my illness and learn more about safe coping skills. Those peer mentors are knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. They were having mental illness just like me but were recovered so they can empathize and give hope and become a role model. I can also apply for government assistance of health insurance and finance during my period of working toward recovery. The government also has program for education and job rehabilitation. In addition, non - profit organization have many program to provide resources, helps. Support groups such as AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) recovery group can support people with dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction of either drug or alcohol.

Lastly, I need to manage the additional dimension of spirituality. By having a personal relationship with a higher power, I gain strength and resilience. I can pray, meditate on sacred text daily to gain clarity toward the solution of my issues and the reality of surrounding. It is written in the Bible that king Saul was having depression and anxiety as the Holy Spirit left him, and the evil spirit gained possession. He called David into the palace to play gospel music to comfort him. Also the fruits of Holy Spirit are love, peace, joy, patience etc., so that it can help to elevate and help the person to endure his negative situation. I can join and participate in group such as Tai chi, and Yoga. I also can join and participate in groups in the community to share my experience and also explore nature, music, sport, art, and poetry, drama for self expression, personal transformation, and integration of various part of myself such as mental, emotional, and spiritual.

So the people with mental illness generally can expect to recover and resume normal life. The normalcy of life is in the following domains: housing and home, education, assets, vocation, leisure and recreation, health and wellness, Intimacy and sexuality, spirituality, and social support. It will be the responsibility of the individual who had mental illness to manage the domains after or during recovery. To maintain recovery, the individual needs to bring the mental illness under control by managing the 6 dimensions: physical, bio-chemical, social, psychological, economical, and spiritual. Recovery is possible because there are many people who had mental illness and managed to recover, living a satisfied and productive life with others and the community.

Annotated bibliography:

1/Priscilla Ridgway, Diane McDiarmid, Lori Davidson, Julie Bayes & Sarah Ratzlaff. “Pathways to Recovery: a strength recovery self-help work book. Cherie Bledsoe, Janice Driscoll, Les Higgins, Randy Johnson, Suzette Mack, Amy Stiefvater, 9th printing, University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, Jun 2014, Kansas.

This book doesn’t focus on the cause of mental illness, but on the solutions base on the strengths of the individuals and with that they can start the journey of recovery.

2/ David D. Burns, MD: “Feeling good: the new mood therapy.”Harper1999, New York.

This book is about the connection between external events that trigger the thoughts which then trigger the mood and feeling and behavior of the individual.

3/ Charles L. Whitfield MD:” Healing the Child Within” by Health Communication, Inc. 1989, Deerfield Beach, Fl

This book is about the healing of mental, emotional, and spiritual of the child within each of us.

4/ John Bradshaw: “Healing the shame that bind you.” By Health Communications Inc. 1988, Deerfield Beach, Fl.

This book is about those who live in a dysfunctional family and bear the negativity message of parents and now find ways to recover.

5/ MentalHealth.gov: “ Recovery is possible” Web Jul 2nd , 2017

This article talks about the possibility of recovery from mental illness.

6/ K.S Jacob:” Recovery Model of Mental Illness: a complementary approach to psychiatric care.” Indian J Psychol Med 2015, Web Jul 2nd, 2017

This article talks about a different perspective on recovery which is different from traditional medicine for physical illness.

7/ National Alliance on Mental Illness: Psychological Treatment web Jul 2nd , 2017

This article talks about different school of therapy.

8/Wikihow to recover from mental illness web Jul 2nd, 2017

This article talks about getting help, finding support, and self care.

9/ www. Healthyplace.com/2011/10/Is it possible to recover from chronic mental illness, Natalie Jeanne, Web Jul 2nd, 2017

This article talks about recovery from chronic mental illness differs from physical injury.

10/ www. Mindhealthconnect.org.au/mental-health-recovery Jan 2016, web Jul 2nd, 2017

This article talks about mental health recovery and the recovery approach to mental health.