Pathways to Recovery, chapter 9, 'Obstacles On The Way'.
The road to recovery from mental illness is usually not a straight line. There are many obstacles to overcome, such as financial difficulties, discrimination, stigma and shame. While it is not possible to avoid all barriers, we can try to avoid them and learn from them.
Here are some tips for dealing with obstacles on your recovery journey:
The first step to overcoming an obstacle is acknowledging that it is there. Once you know what you are facing, you can begin to make a plan to deal with it.
There are many people who can help you in your recovery, such as your family, friends, therapists and support groups. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Recovery is a process that takes time. Don't be disappointed if you don't see results right away. Stay patient and persistent, and you will eventually reach your goals.
It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people who have recovered from mental illness. You can do it, too! Keep going, and never give up!
Setbacks and relapses are a natural part of the recovery process, and it's important to have a plan in place for when they happen. Here are a few tips that might help:
The first step is to recognise that a setback has occurred and to accept it without self-judgment. It's important not to get discouraged or lose hope.
Try to figure out what caused the setback. If you can anticipate what might trigger a setback, you can take steps to avoid it or at least minimise its impact.
The following exercise will help you identify obstacles and come up with strategies to deal with them:
The path to recovery from mental illness is often fraught with obstacles, making it difficult for individuals to navigate their way back to a fulfilling life. These obstacles can be both internal and external, and they often work in concert to impede progress.
Many people with mental health problems would like to return to a time when they did not have problems. They think the road to recovery begins with returning to their old lives. They had ambitions, relationships and careers in good times, but had to give them up when their mental health problems took over much of their lives.
What they learn over time, however, is that they are not the same persons they used to be. They have changed, the people around them have changed and the circumstances are different. So returning to the past is no longer possible.
However, this does not mean that they should forget their old lives, interests and achievements. Many of their inner strengths and resources left behind in the past can be rediscovered and used in shaping their future.
Here are some tips for rediscovering your inner strengths and resources:
By answering these questions, you can get a better picture of who you are and what you are capable of. You can use this information to make a plan for your future.
Recovery is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, but if you focus on your goals and your inner strengths, you will eventually find your way to a better life.
That ive recovered from my psychosis and dont have much complaints during the days. Also do i dream better during the nights.
As we work on our recovery, some of us may feel the need to move on from our experiences of mental health problems and try to forget that they ever happened. We may try to return to our previous lives and avoid being stuck in the past. Others may realise that all their experiences, even the most difficult times with mental health problems, have contributed to their personal growth and development. They may accept these experiences as part of who they are and recognise that they have made them the unique person they are today.
I see my history as something positive.
Following someone else's roadmap
It is common to compare ourselves to others and be motivated by how they see us. We may begin our recovery journey to please a partner, therapist or family members, or to meet certain expectations within a treatment plan or cultural norms. However, if we are guided solely by the desires and expectations of others, we may make choices and compromises that are not true to ourselves. It is important to remember that we are in control of our own lives and know our own needs, wants and goals. It can be difficult to achieve our goals if we follow someone else's roadmap. It is important to take responsibility for our own lives and make active choices to achieve our goals.
With that, we can feel like we can't escape the demands that different roles and environments bring every day.
Some part of my psychosis i take with me for life, and that keep me interested in certain things.
Im never a danger for myself or others. I think im friendly and smart.
Sometimes i feel the pressure to perform.
Here are some tips for following your own road map:
Remember that you are the only one who knows what is best for you. Don't be afraid to follow your own road map, even if it is different from those others have chosen.
It's important to have our own unique goals in life. These goals should be based on what we really want for ourselves, not on what others think is best for us or what they expect of us. Change is only possible if we are clear about what we want and why we want it. We should not be influenced by the goals of others or what they need for their own recovery. Our goals should reflect our own desires and motivations.
Understandably, we are excited by the idea of recovery. We want to make up for lost time and resume our lives. But sometimes we move too fast. We may take a job too soon, move out of our home, quit day treatment and decide we no longer need the people who support us. We may even stop taking medication instead of tapering off under professional supervision.
We find that we take on too many tasks and can't meet our obligations that we weren't prepared for. All this just to prove to ourselves or others that we have come this far.
But it is important to remember that recovery takes time. We don't have to change our lives overnight or work so hard that we become stressed. We don't have to ignore the basics of rest and support, and we don't have to stop the help around us to show that we are independent.
Even without working hard, we can get tired and lose our motivation. This may mean that we have not yet learned the right pace and need to step back, rest and regain our energy. The wrong medication or too much medication can also cause a feeling of lack of energy for recovery.
If we go too fast, we can have a relapse. This can be frustrating and disappointing. But it is important to remember that a relapse is not the end of the world. It is simply a step on the road to recovery.
If we have a relapse, it is important not to give up. We have to go back to basics and give ourselves time to heal. We must also learn our mistakes and make sure we don't make.
Recovery is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, but if we remain remain patient and dedicated, we will eventually achieve our goals achieve.
Calculating per week
Im high in the energy this week.
Yes ive been under pressure a lot.
Taking it calm, and lots of routine.
On our road to recovery, we may encounter obstacles in the form of fear and negative thinking from others. This may be from fellow clients, friends, partners or family who encourage us to take a break in our recovery process. They are often dissatisfied with the changes we are going through and may react angrily or negatively when we make progress. This may be because they fear that we will leave them or that relationships will change.
Sometimes people also give us experiences that disrespect our real strengths and talents. These people often focus on our weaknesses, the talents we don't have or our shortcomings. They want us to avoid challenges to avoid a relapse.
When we are regularly told not to do too much and not to expect too much from life, it can seem like people want to avoid future problems. But when we constantly focus on our problems and symptoms, it devours the energy we need for recovery. When we regularly receive negative messages, it can lead to discouragement, depression, wandering or giving up.
These negative messages can also come from the media or our culture. Many people still have a false image of mental difficulties and think that people with mental problems are less intelligent, unfit for work, dangerous, unfit for friendships or intimate relationships.
Self-stigma
Self-stigma can result from social stigma, oppressive attitudes and stories we hear. Restrictive and negative ideas based on stigmas may be so deeply rooted in our minds that we see them as truth. When we take these negative stories about ourselves as truth, they can inhibit and limit us in our recovery process.
When we adopt these negative stories about ourselves and our abilities as truth, thoughts come to inhibit and limit us. Stigmas can have a negative impact even when they don't fit our values, our personal strengths and the resources around us. We can become our own worst enemy when we take the wrong thoughts about our shortcomings as truth and ignore our own strengths. When we accept the limited view of ourselves, it can take us off track and slow us down on the road to recovery. Self-stigma often comes along with feeling unworthy and thinking negatively about ourselves, based on the social stigma surrounding mental difficulties.
Do you feel that you are limited by selfstigma? If you think that this is the case, feel free to make the next exercises.
That i cant be trusted.
That i cant work fulltime.
That i used to lie a lot.
That i did cross the line sometimes.
That i need to use medication my whole life.
How has having stigmas about yourself affected your life and your recovery? Below is a list of consequences of feeling negative about yourself, feel free to read through it and determine if you have these negative behaviours in your life.
Do you struggle with self-doubt or a negative self-image? Do you have difficulty seeing the value in your own life or believing that you can succeed?
Do you find that you rely heavily on others to validate your actions and identity? Do you struggle to be kind to yourself, treat yourself well and reward yourself?
If you have a negative self-image, you may tend to see the world around you in a negative light. A pessimistic outlook can lead you to see the world as dark and intimidating.
Do you often feel sorry for yourself and complain about the things that happen to you? Do you see yourself as a victim in most situations?
Do you have a 'yes-but' attitude to life? Do you doubt the intentions of people who try to help you? Do you find it hard to trust opportunities that come your way because you believe they will not work out?
Our beliefs often affect our experiences. Could self-stigma lead to further failure, rejection and destructive patterns of behaviour?
Has self-stigma paralysed you? Not being able to take risks or make changes? Do you feel stuck and unable to move in a positive direction in your life?
How to deal with low expectations and self-stigma
There are a number of things we can do to deal with low expectations and self-stigma:
Recovery is a process, not a destination. There will be ups and downs, but if we remain patient and committed, we will eventually achieve our goals.
If we want to let go of self-stigma, where do we start? Here are some things you can work on to feel better about yourself.
The first step in overcoming obstacles is to recognize them and acknowledge their presence. Once we do that, we can begin to develop strategies for dealing with them. It's also important to reach out for support from others who have faced similar challenges.
We can become so absorbed in worries and expectations that we lose sight of our goals. We can become overwhelmed when we have unattainable goals or try to do too much at once. Sometimes we have goals that are so far in the future that we don't see a clear path to reach them. Too many goals in one journey can also be confusing.
To avoid these pitfalls, it is important to have a few clearly stated goals and try them one at a time. For some of us, it starts with "getting out of bed." Once we achieve that goal, we can move on to other short-term goals and take small steps to improve our lives.
Having a clear itinerary for the journey is important. Remember that goals are specific, attainable, meaningful and achievable in a reasonable amount of time. Unrealistic expectations of what we can achieve in the near future can lead to the feeling of running into a wall and failing.
If it feels like you're not moving forward with your goals, take another look at them. If they are overwhelming or confusing, make them more specific and realistic. Think about what needs you have right now and what you can do at this point in time.
When we are doing well, we feel like we can take on the whole world. It is then best to divide the day into small tasks. This way you can complete them one at a time.
Keeping a list or calendar of the things you want to do can often help. Many of us have found that sticking to structure and a daily schedule helps with recovery.
If there is something that you put off until the next day and then the day after, it is probably not the right goal to work on now. In that case, take the task off your list and put it back on it later and work on it when you are ready. If you decide to keep the goal on your list, make short-term goals for this task that you can handle right now.
Even if we choose destinations or goals for the distant future, we need to put in the time and energy we have now so we can make the "next step" in our plan. We can learn to appreciate and even enjoy the process of recovery.
We can learn to enjoy where we are now in life. After a while, we reach our goals. Our need for progression does not mean we cannot enjoy where we are now. Try not to enjoy only when you have achieved a goal.
In this blog, we will not discuss the specific symptoms of mental health problems, but it is important to recognize that they can occur and throw us off balance. However, by applying self-care, we can effectively manage our symptoms and stay on track in our recovery process.
One effective way to manage our symptoms is to learn to recognize when we are under stress. By monitoring our emotions and thoughts, we can identify when our symptoms are worsening. If we notice that our symptoms are becoming overwhelming, we can proactively use the strategies we have developed to manage them, such as applying relaxation techniques, seeking support from trusted individuals, or applying healthy ways of coping.
It is also important to recognize that sometimes things do not go as planned and we may experience a relapse. However, it is important not to view a relapse as a failure or the end of our recovery journey. Instead, we can see it as part of the recovery process, an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our vulnerabilities. It provides an opportunity for growth and self-reflection, and a chance to reevaluate our coping strategies and make adjustments to prevent future relapses.
Finally, while mental health symptoms may occur and present challenges in our recovery journey, self-care, recognizing stress and reframing relapses as opportunities for growth can help us stay on track and continue our progress toward recovery. It is important to approach setbacks with self-compassion and perseverance, and to remember that recovery is an ongoing process with ups and downs, and that we have the opportunity to overcome challenges and thrive in our trajectory toward mental health and well-being.
Fear of failure or fear of success can both hinder the recovery process. It is important to understand the cause of these fears so that we are not held back by them. Often, identifying the specific reasons why we are afraid is an important first step in overcoming these fears. This allows us to calm ourselves and address the fear so that we can move forward with our recovery, even if it sometimes feels like a risky endeavor.
Fear of failure
Fear of failure can keep us from taking new steps in the recovery process. We may be afraid of failing in our pursuit of recovery, afraid of being disappointed again or of disappointing others. This fear can paralyze us and cause us to cling to familiar patterns, even when they are no longer constructive. It is important to recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process and that it does not mean we are not making progress. Making mistakes and failing are opportunities to learn and grow, and can ultimately make us stronger in the recovery process.
Fear of success
On the other hand, fear of success can also slow us down in the recovery process. We may be afraid of the changes that success can bring, or we may be uncomfortable with the idea of responsibility and expectations that come with success. We may even feel guilty about achieving success, especially if others around us are still struggling. It is important to realize that success is something to celebrate and be proud of, and that it does not mean we let others down. It can be helpful to examine and reframe our beliefs and fears regarding success so that we allow ourselves to move forward and continue our recovery process with confidence.
How to deal with fear of failure and fear of success
It can also be helpful to seek support from professionals, therapists or support groups to help us deal with our fears of failure or success. By acknowledging, understanding and addressing our fears, we can free ourselves from the hindering influence they can have on the recovery process. We can learn to trust in our own abilities and resilience, and allow ourselves to grow, recover and thrive, even if we occasionally face anxious thoughts or feelings. It's a process, and it's important to be patient and loving with ourselves as we move forward in recovery.
Ive got fired before.
I need to think about others more.
My family, and my positive attitude.
One way to combat fear and anxiety is to write down our thoughts. We can challenge negative or frightening thoughts by writing down statements about our strengths and abilities. Remember that we all deserve success in our lives and we can choose to allow positive experiences and events into our lives. It is important to recognise and celebrate even small successes and to reward ourselves for making positive changes.
After all the careful planning we have done, it is crucial to put our ideas into action in our daily lives. Our journey to recovery is not just a concept in our heads or on paper - it comes to life through the actions we take every day.
It is helpful to regularly look back at the list of our strengths and goals, and remind ourselves. Sharing our plans and progress with trusted friends or family members can also be valuable, as we can seek their guidance or support when we are uncertain. Another helpful technique is to post notes around the house to remind us of our goals and help us stay focused and on track.
It is important to remember that changes in our habits may not be immediately noticeable; it may take several weeks before we see progress. In the early stages, it is important to maintain a structured routine throughout the day to achieve short-term goals. Without actively incorporating new activities and habits, we may fall back into old patterns. As with sports or music, consistent exercise is essential for success.
In addition to maintaining a routine, it is important to be patient and compassionate with ourselves as we navigate the ups and downs of our journey to recovery. Change takes time and setbacks are a natural part of the process. It's okay to make mistakes and stumble along the way, as long as we learn from them and keep moving forward. Celebrating our progress, no matter how small, can also be motivating and empowering.
As we continue to take action toward our recovery goals, it is important to regularly evaluate and reassess our progress. Are the actions we are taking leading us to the desired results? Do we need to make adjustments or changes to our plans? Reflecting on our progress and making changes as needed can help us stay focused and in line with our goals.
In summary, putting our plans into practice and incorporating new habits into our daily lives is a crucial step in our journey to recovery. It may take time, effort and patience, but by consistently taking small steps toward our goals, celebrating our progress and seeking support when needed, we can make meaningful changes in our lives and stay on the road to recovery.
Additional thought food:
An example of an obstacle you may face during your recovery journey is largely self-criticism and pessimism. Here are a few tips for dealing with it:
It's important to remember that setbacks are a natural part of the process. How we respond to those setbacks can make all the difference in our progress.