Recovering from mental health is intense and unpredictable process for many patients, but eventually they gain lasting changes. It takes a lot of strength and perseverance to go through mental illness treatment. Many patients find the recovery process difficult, but with support from doctors, family and friends they overcome the challenges. The stages of recovery have gained recognition since therapists use different strategies in every stage. Recovery process is not the same for every person. Some make progress quickly than others. The ability of recovery does not come from only the doctors but also the patients themselves. The important thing to note is that the process to recovery from a mental illness takes time. Mental illness such as anxiety, substance abuse and depression takes time to develop so the process to recovery also takes time. The following are stages of mental illness recovery:
Acceptance. The most common barrier to receiving treatment for a mental health patient is denial. Denial prevents the patients from healing while acceptance encourages and allows the patient to receive treatment. Before starting the recovery process, it is important that the patient has accepted he/she is suffering from mental illness and needs help and thus making the process easier.
Insight. Much of the work done in overcoming mental illness is from the patient and not from the doctors. Patients understanding of their condition has to improve during their treatment. When a patient has a clear understanding of the warning signs of their illness, they can learn how to cope more effectively with any episodes.
Action. During recovery process, the patient should set goals and objectives that provide them with measurable progress. This ensures that that the patient is always motivated during the recovery process.
Self-esteem. The society has always associated mental health with low self-esteem and so it is important for the patient to build confidence since it is crucial for the recovery stage. With the help of doctors, family and friends, the patient is able to build high confidence levels.
Healing. Mental illness are conditions that relapse and patients need to learn ways to cope during the recovery process. It is crucial for a patient to understand that he/she will have good and bad days, but with help from the recovery process and specialists they will be equipped to deal with the relapses however bad they are.
Meaning. Mental health conditions make people lose their self-importance. They stop taking part in activities they enjoyed before the condition and they become alienated from people they were formerly close to. This last stage involves rediscovering the important things in a patient’s life and going back to activities they loved.