Skip to main content

My Support

As a result of my recent blog entry, When Coping isn't Coping Anymore, and comment on other online networks, a few friends and family members called me with urgency to check on my well-being. I guess I did not realize how well I articulated my mental distress, but I needed to write to feel a little relief. The concerning calls and encouraging comments really made me feel that I was important, cared and thought of, and was not alone in the battle with mental illness.

Having my support network is important because friends and family could pick up on cues from my active lifestyle or lack of, and my thoughts from online groups and identify my stressful  moments, sometimes when I can't. I appreciate others for reaching out to me, it re-energized my optimistic perspective on recovery and life.

Although I still have work to do to acquire and maintain wellness, I believe I can and will get through this difficult time with satisfaction. 

How strong is your support network?- Do you have friends and family who know you well enough to reach out to you when you are feeling down? If so what are your warning signs that you are in need of support?... Whenever you do not meet your obligations, when you are irritable, or when you isolate- what are your warning signs?

If you feel you do not have a strong support system I encourage you to seek support by participating in online networks and self-help groups to learn from peers and to establish more relationships.

To learn more about schizophrenia visit Embracing My Mind, NAMI, Choices in Recovery, or Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia (Canada).

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm happy for your recovery.

And understanding myself is very important.
but under stress,understanding myself is difficult.

You have a lot of network of friends,family,mental team,peer,I envy you^^
In my case,someone let me notice clue of sick.

By the way,I hesitate for making homepage of mental illness.

Best regards,
Deen
Momofthree said…
Dear Deen, Yes understanding our own selves takes so much insight! But I believe you are able to do this Deen. And my son, Dillon can too! Life IS stressful. And we are strong, we can make our own network of Friends and family. So many people want to be your friend and help you. Just keep looking. God will bring them to you somehow. He always does for me. I have been so lonely for so long. But God always brings a new & soon to be close friend along just when I need it! I am praying for YOU, Deen, that God will surround you with an encouraging support group of friends that will continue what you have started. You are strong and even under stress you are victorious! I look forward to meeting your support group of friends and family someday. God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas!!!
All The Best, Cindy
Anonymous said…
Dear Cindy,
Thank for your kind and helpful advise.Your advise encourage me to work.
Even if under stress and not rich,and whatever i feel sick,peer help me.(But I don't have a lot of network...)

Anyway I'm going to enjoy Christmas holiday.
Best regards,
Deen
Anonymous said…
hi, isolation was good for me...i'm still in contact with my mother though, my old friends can't care about my mental illness... they're busy with their selves and probably still do drugs/alcohol and abuse each other anyway?...aa/na meetings just don't do it, even though i've been helped through the 12 steps... my axis is axis 2 i think? my therapist didn't inform me ?i have a schizophrenia diagnosis i saw it on a computer window last time i was in the emergency...? the therapist didn't tell me that either? but the therapist did help me tremendously...

Popular posts from this blog

No, Please, That's Not Me

Prior to my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia I did some things that I am not proud of. Now that I look back on things I blame my illness for my poor judgment. I am by no means condoning the behavior I carried out, and will share with you here. I will provide a few instances where my behavior was unlike me and caused an uproar. This post shows how schizophrenia affects other people. This post is for the family members and friends of people with schizophrenia, or showing bizarre behaviors. First, I asked my mother permission to give my friend a statue that was in my mother's house. My mother agreed to give my friend the statue, however, I took her permission a step further to get rid of what she had at my discretion. At the time I did not live with my mother who was away on a business trip. My mother buys and sells things so she had a lot of collectibles, antiques, and other interesting stuff. While my friend and me were in my mother's house my friend saw a lot of stuff that s

What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a

by A Guest Blogger: For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life

If you’re struggling to maintain your sobriety, you aren’t alone. There are millions of fighters just like you working toward reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. There are a few common traits that many successful recovering addicts share. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can follow in their footsteps. They establish new patterns You can’t continue to live your life the same was you did when you were using. You must change and adapt to your newfound sobriety. Consider a career change; many recovering addicts find they have more success by starting their own business. One career that is easy to enter is dog walking. As a dog walker , you’ll reap many rewards including getting to spend time with dogs, which can actually boost your recovery efforts and stave off depression. Dogs have been used as part of a treatment plan for users as young as 11 and come with the added benefit of helping you stay physically active. Plus, being with