|
|
|
|
What IS Recovery?
Recovery has become the new watchword for behavioral health professionals.
It is bandied about--but perhaps with only partial understanding.
The definition of recovery found in the box below is straightforward--and
somewhat poignant in its simplicity when applied to recovery from mental The recovery definition professionals select will determine the goals and intensity of their professional service activities--governed as they are by the underlying expectations governing treatments and supports for persons with mental illnesses. The questions are serious: how high should the bar of expectations be set for professional activities regarding helping persons with serious mental illness "get well?" Does this set of expectations correlate with actual consumer improvement potential--and what the most recent science suggests? What does science tell us about the hopes for realistic improvement in these brain disorders? And in which functional areas? Take a look at a Grid displaying a possible relationship between Perceived Consumer Potential when matched with Professional Recovery Expectations. Do professionals really believe their patients can get "well?" How well? What does "well" mean? Do our expectations artificially slow patient recovery? Do we believe we have the competencies to make patient potential real? Al these questions enter into the issue of recovery. Science- and evidence-based solutions grounded in applied research--coupled with patient skill development for self-management of illnesses--will eventually lead professions to a dependable definition of recovery. There is an extensive literature dealing with recovery. Please refer to the Links page.
I feel sad knowing how much I have missed in my life because of my illness. But when I think of all the efforts I have put into getting better--and how much better my life is now, I just feel peaceful. I no longer feel like some strange person everybody stares at because they think I'm weird. I take care of myself. I'm working. I have more friends now. If I start having symptoms I know what to do now to get back on track. My mom has even started talking to me again. It's nice not to have to rely on everybody for everything. Yep. Really nice. --a person recovering from serious mental illness Go to the Elements of Recovery |
Send Email to reginam@TI-GR.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
illness.
But there is a range of models describing recovery--and perhaps the definitions
represent more of a description of a continuum of professional
expectations (rather than describing real consumer improvement), indeed one
that moves from partial to complete achievement of mental health. 