relapse prevention program1 thinking about relapse prevention
Post on 22-Dec-2015
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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What Does It Feel Like to Experience:
• Depression – Hopeless– Helpless– Useless
• Let’s add to this list
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What Does It Feel Like to Experience:
• Mania – Racing thoughts– Like you could do anything– Speedy
• Let’s add to this list
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What Does It Feel Like to Experience:
• Psychotic Symptoms – Voices were talking to you– People were looking at you– You saw things that others didn’t
• Let’s add to this list
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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
• Let’s add to this list
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What Did You Experience Before Your Symptoms Became Troublesome?
• Withdrawal from friends and activities• Sleeping too much• Not sleeping enough• Negative or hostile attitude
• Let’s add to this list
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How Might You Feel If You Were To Experience Symptoms Again?
• Worried
• Embarrassed
• Like there’s nothing you can do about it
• Let’s add to this list
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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
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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
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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
• Let’s add to this list
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Dealing With Harmful Thoughts
• Identify them as negative• Describe them• Refute them• Substitute positive thoughts• List your accomplishments
• Let’s add to this list
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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
• Let’s add to this list
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What Else Should You Be Watching For?
• Isolating behaviors
– Avoiding people
– Not going to activates
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Let’s add to this list
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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:
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Identifying Triggers?
• Family Stress• Worrying about getting or keeping a job• Alcohol or drug use• Moving• Relationship changes
• Let’s add to this list
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Ways To Increase Wellness• Believe that you have the ability to get well
and stay well
• Continue taking prescribed medications
• Stop smoking
• Let’s add to this list
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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
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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
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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
• Let’s add to this list
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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