Is Recovery Possible With Mental Health Problems?
A big YES!
Recovery is very possible with mental health problems. For some, they still find themselves going back to their problems, but that does not mean recovery is impossible. No! Just like any sickness, anyone can recover from it.
“The sun will rise and we will try again.”
Just like what they say in this song. At the end of the day, we can still try again. Add a little bit more effort and you’re good. But of course, another question would be, how would you know if you’re already recovering from a mental health problem? Continue reading to learn more about this.
How to Know if You’re Recovering From Your Mental Health Problem?
Recovery means different things to different people. For some people, recovery means aiming to be symptom free. For others, it might mean managing your mental illness well enough to be able to live a meaningful life. Recovery can be a short-term or long-term thing. But people often see recovery in terms of:
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Clinical Recovery
Clinical recovery is when mental health professionals think of your recovery as no longer having mental health symptoms, or a reduction of symptoms, which means you’re able to live a meaningful life.
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Personal Recovery
The meaning of personal recovery and how you start on the road to it is individual to you. You can think about what is important to you and what it means to you to live a “meaningful” life. Remember, personal recovery can mean different things to different people. What is important for your recovery is unique to you.
As you can see, two different terms have the same importance. To know if you’re already recovering from your mental health problems, the No. 1 sign you need to look for is the drive “to live a meaningful life”.
4 Dimensions of Mental Health Recovery (STACS Edition)
Are you already familiar with Health, Home, Purpose, and Community? These are the known 4 Dimensions that support life in recovery. Health is the clinical aspect, where you are able to manage the disorder and be able to choose healthy choices that support both physical and emotional health. Home is having a stable and safe place to live. Purpose is about having a reason to wake up. And lastly, community, where you learn to build relationships and connect with others.
Here at STACS, aside from believing in these known four dimensions, we also have our own four dimensions of recovery, and they are:
- Peace – This is the deliberate and intentional state of calm despite the presence of stressors, meaning, you don’t easily get angry over little things.
- Passion – This is excitement for people, places, and situations that inspire creativity, commitment, and energy fueled by gratitude. You know you’re on the road to recovery when you’re starting to feel excited about the things you love.
- Purpose – This is the same as with the other 4 dimensions of recovery. The various personal responsibilities that create, assist, and give meaning to both our lives and the lives of others.
- Pleasure – This is the giving and/or receiving of good physical, spiritual, and mental experiences that create ecstasy. This is more of the opposite of depression. Instead of being sad and hopeless, you’re already recovering if you’re feeling positive already.
If you’re curious which of these 4Ps of Mental Health Recovery you are still lacking, take this FREE 4Ps Quiz we made just for you.
In Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, this is the road to recovery. We are always hands-on and really try to be understanding and empathetic to our clients who are still driving down the road of their recovery. We always want what is best for them.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health and needs help recovering, please do not hesitate to refer them to us. Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here.
References:
Recovery and Mental Illness. Recovery and mental illness. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2022, from https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/treatment-and-support/recovery/
Recovery is possible. Recovery Is Possible | MentalHealth.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/recovery-possible
