Relapse Prevention Program1 Thinking About Relapse Prevention

Relapse Prevention Program 1

Thinking About Relapse Prevention

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What We’re Going To Do Today

• Talk about relapse prevention• Share knowledge and experience

concerning mental illness• We’re going to share things that are

personal, and perhaps even painful• We are going to increase wellness levels


How Do I Know About Mental Illness and Relapse Prevention?

• I’ve studied and researched it • But mostly I know about it the same way that you

know about it • All of us in this room have close knowledge, if not

first hand experience, with mental illness• I know about it because of the experiences of

some of my family members, and because I have struggled with depression


What is Relapse Prevention?

• It is a type of psychoeducational training

• It teaches techniques to prevent recurrences of psychiatric illnesses

• It is a tool that empowers consumers


Why Is It Important to Learn about Relapse Prevention?

• It’s important because many psychiatric conditions are:– Chronic– Cyclical– Episodic

• It can help people have fewer and shorter episodes of acute illness


Relapse Prevention is Important Because:

• People can and do achieve wellness• People can and do maintain wellness• Sometimes relapses do occur• Consumers are are often afraid they’ll

become acutely ill again• Multiple relapses increase the odds of

permanent disability• Relapses can be prevented


Research Tells Us

• Relapse prevention helps end “the revolving door syndrome”

• Provides familiarity with wellness levels– Unstable:

• symptoms interfere with daily life

– Stable: • medications are working, activities can be conducted

– Actualized:• symptoms move to the background, do not interfere


What You Can Learn from Relapse Prevention Education

• That early action at the first sign of symptoms (during the prodromal phase) CAN stop a relapse from happening before symptoms become debilitating

• Techniques to SHORTEN the length of an acute episode

• Having a clear plan will help you get back on your feet faster if you do experience a set back


What We’re Going To Explore Together

• General psychiatric symptoms• Identify specific symptoms you have experienced• Learn how recognize signs of relapse• Develop ways to lessen symptoms• Explore feelings and events that might “trigger”

symptoms• Develop personalized goals to achieve, maintain

and, enhance wellness• Complete a personalized plan should relapse occur


Why Talk About Relapse Prevention Now?

• Because you are experiencing wellness now• And that’s when it’s easiest to do this kind

of hard work• By doing it together we’ll all be able to

learn from each other• The more that you know, the less likely you

are to experience a relapse


What Causes Mental Health Disturbances?

• Specific conditions:– Depressive disorder– Schizophrenia– Bipolar Disorder– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Imbalances in neurotransmitter systems• Hormonal Imbalances (like in the thyroid)• Genetic Predisposition (it runs in families)• Trauma

– Abuse– PTSD– Deprivation– Brain injury


What Does It Feel Like to Experience:

• Depression – Hopeless– Helpless– Useless

• Let’s add to this list



• Mania – Racing thoughts– Like you could do anything– Speedy




• Psychotic Symptoms – Voices were talking to you– People were looking at you– You saw things that others didn’t



How Did You Feel While You Were Having Symptoms?

• Scared and Nervous• Like you knew things other people didn’t

know• Like there was something wrong with you• You enjoyed these feelings



What Did You Experience Before Your Symptoms Became Troublesome?

• Withdrawal from friends and activities• Sleeping too much• Not sleeping enough• Negative or hostile attitude



How Might You Feel If You Were To Experience Symptoms Again?

• Worried

• Embarrassed

• Like there’s nothing you can do about it



What Can You Do If You Have Troublesome Symptoms?

• Call Your Therapist• Get a Physical• Have a Med Check• Seek out friends• Avoid Negative and Critical People

– Let’s add to this list


What Must You Do If You’re Experiencing Troubling Symptoms?

• Admit that you’re having difficulty

• Be honest and clear about what is happening, and about what hurts

• Take steps to eliminate Harmful Thoughts


What Are Harmful Thoughts?

• All or nothing (polarized) thinking– Everything’s Good– Everything’s Bad

• Believing someone else is responsible for your actions

• Blaming others• Catastrophizing• Mind reading



Dealing With Harmful Thoughts

• Identify them as negative• Describe them• Refute them• Substitute positive thoughts• List your accomplishments



What Should You Be On the Lookout For?

• Having trouble thinking or concentrating• Becoming preoccupied about your health• Feeling sad, anxious or irritable• Feeling like you can do anything• Hearing voices



What Else Should You Be Watching For?

• Isolating behaviors

– Avoiding people

– Not going to activates

• Increased alcohol or drug use



More Things To Watch Out For

• Neglecting Yourself

– Bad Hygiene

– Not caring about your appearance

– Not eating

– Not doing housekeeping chores

• Let’s add to this list:


Identifying Triggers?

• Family Stress• Worrying about getting or keeping a job• Alcohol or drug use• Moving• Relationship changes



Ways To Increase Wellness• Believe that you have the ability to get well

and stay well

• Continue taking prescribed medications

• Stop smoking



More Ways To Increase Wellness

• Improve your diet: more fruits and vegetables, less junk food

• Exercise• Create satisfying social interactions• NEVER CHANGE OR STOP TAKING YOUR

MEDS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR


If You Do Have Severe Symptoms?

• Contact your support people

• Accept help

• Understand that it’s not anyone’s fault– Even healthy people get colds

• Follow your personalized Relapse Plan

• Be prepared to Get Back in the Saddle


Getting Back in the Saddle

• Understand that even even people who do everything right still sometimes relapse

• At the first sign of symptoms take action• Follow your healthy lifestyle plan• Take your prescribed medicines



Your Personalized Plan

• Specified Hospital • Name of Person to be spokesperson• Names of your doctors• Current medications • Medications you’re willing/not willing to take• Treatments you’re willing/not willing to allow

Documents

Relapse Prevention Program1 Thinking About Relapse Prevention