Treatment and Recovery Part 2: Things to Remember

Above all, remember, you are not alone. Many people have feelings or experiences like these at some time in their lives. When such symptoms of mental illness become severe, some people reach out for help and treatment from health care providers. Others try to get through it on their own. Some people don't tell anyone what they are experiencing because they are afraid people will treat them badly. Other people share what they are experiencing with friends, family members, or co-workers.

Sometimes these symptoms are so severe that friends and people around you know you are having them even though you have not told them. No matter what your situation is, these feelings are very hard to live with. They may keep you from doing what you want to do with your life, what you have to do for yourself and others, and what you find rewarding and enjoyable.

As you begin to work on helping yourself feel better, there are some important things to keep in mind. 

• You will feel better. You will feel happy again. The disturbing experiences and feelings you've had or are having are temporary. This may be hard to believe, but it's true. No one knows how long these symptoms will last. However, there are lots of things you can do to relieve them. You will want help from others, including health care providers, family members and friends, in relieving your symptoms and for ongoing help in staying well. 
• The best time to address these symptoms is now, before they get any worse. 
• These symptoms are not your fault.
• You are just as valuable and important as anyone else.
• When you have these kinds of symptoms, it is hard to think clearly and make good decisions. If possible, don't make any major decisions-make expensive purchases, change jobs, move, or leave a partner or friend-until you feel better. If you have to make some major decisions, especially about getting treatment, ask your loved ones and health care providers for help. 
• Spend time with people you know, and work on developing friendships with people who are positive, caring, and who like you just the way you are. Sometimes people who have these kinds of symptoms are treated poorly by people who don't understand. Try to stay away from these types of people. 
• Listen to the concerns of and feedback from your health care providers, friends, and family members who are trying to help you, and work with them to find solutions that feel right to everyone involved. 
• These symptoms do not take away your basic personal rights. You have the right to
• ask for what you want, say yes or no, and change your mind.
• make mistakes.
• follow your own values, standards, and spiritual beliefs.
• express all of your feelings, both positive and negative, in a responsible manner.
• be afraid and uncertain.
• determine what is important to you and to make your own decisions based on what you want and need.
• have the friends and interests of your choice.
• be unique and allow yourself to change and grow.
• have your own personal space and time.
• be safe.
• be playful and frivolous when appropriate.
• be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect at all times.
• know the side effects of recommended medications and treatments.
• refuse medication and treatments that are unacceptable to you. 

• If you are told that the following things are not normal, don't believe it! They are normal. These kind of things happen to everyone and are part of being human:
• Getting angry when you are provoked
• Safely expressing emotions when you are happy, sad, or excited
• Forgetting things
• Feeling tired and discouraged sometimes
• Wanting to make your own decisions about your treatment and life

• It's up to you to take responsibility for your behavior and for getting better. You have the right to as much help as you need, but is crucial that you take charge.