is Recovery from Mental Illness Possible?

Until recently the medical community did not believe that there was any cure or chance of recovery for severe mental illness such as Schizophrenia and bipolar Disorder. This view may be changing.

The National Empowerment Center, the National Alliance on Mental illness and the National Institute of Mental Illness are three consumer based groups which work hard to educate consumers (patients with mental illness) their families and the community on the truth about recovery. It is a long hard road and the patient does require alot of support as well as a personal willingness to get well. Scientists and doctors are currently conducting long term studies with the hope that they will be able to show that recovery from a mental health disorder is possible.

So what does recovery mean? Researchers have determined that recovery from mental illness includes being syptome free for 2 years or longer, being employed at least half time for the past 2 years, living independently and being able to manage money, shopping, food preparation, and personal hygiene and engaging in regular contact with friends, family members and acquaintances.

The Healing Process

Family support is very large factor in the process of being able to effectively manage mental health issues. Even when a patient does not receive support from family members there is a chance of healing if they can heal from any misunderstandings or trauma they may have encountered within their relationship with family members. In the past family members were not included in the patient's care the way they are today. This often left parents and sibling with a feeling of helplessness that often alienated the person with a mental illness. Today there are many support groups, which strive to meet both the needs of the family members as well as the consumers themselves.

Another factor in the healing process is having a supportive medical team. It is vital that the mentally ill person feels connected and supported by the psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other therapists who work with them.

Access to supportive and continuous care, which includes medication, psychotherapy, social skills training, family education, vocational rehabilitation and self-help groups all help the healing process. One of the best resources for supporting your family member who suffers from mental illness is a book called "The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia". It describes in detail how to help yourself or a family member with a mental health issue live as independently a life as possible. While recovery itself may not be possible and is best left to professionals to continue to research that area, there are many ways a person can live a full and comfortable life in spite of their illness.