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Stories Submitted thoughts and stories A Carer’s View of Recovery
Stories Submitted thoughts and stories A Carer’s View of Recovery
A Carer’s View of Recovery |
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activism | carer | female | mother | schizophrenia | son
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Author: Patricia Mullen Published: 27 October 2005 In this recovery story Patricia shares her thoughts on recovery in regard to being a carer and to her son on his recovery journey. Patricia also talks about how taking an active involvement in mental health services and having a positive outlook to the future can aid recovery. What does Recovery mean to me – as a mother, a carer, an individual? What does Recovery mean to my son - as a young man who suffers from schizophrenia and has lost his very identity to the mental health system that identifies him with a label; what does Recovery mean to him as an individual? An individual who may have lost his confidence, self-esteem and expectations, but despite which is a young man with the same wants and needs as anyone else. After 12 years of medication and being indoctrinated into the system since his teenage years, it is difficult to know what recovery would look like for my son. Life, generally, is improved by living in the community rather than in hospital - but for people with a serious and enduring mental illness it becomes a benchmark by which the public and professionals assess someone, assuming that all is well simply because they have managed to stay out of hospital. We then tend to dismiss the fact that many people become institutionalised within the community, because as long as they are being ‘maintained’ it is often not seen as important or stigmatising. How often have we got to the point where it feels easier to give up? How many times have we all said “it’s not just the illness, it’s everything else that goes on with it” - stigma, lack of hope, isolation, lack of understanding and support. This does not happen with any other illness. Over the past 12 years there have been good times and bad times, hellish times and hopeless times. In some ways I’m lucky because I have never really given up hope, and in writing this, hope in itself has helped me to recover and not only look for change but to actually engage and seek it out. Being actively involved in the mental health system, going to conferences, participating in different training events - Allies in Change, Eufomi, Person Centred Planning - listening to new ideas and looking at the whole picture, have all aided recovery. Recovery is helped by focusing on factors that could be improved, in taking a different approach by monitoring new research and medication, and also by thinking about quality of life. At times it can be frustrating, feeling like it’s all talk and no action, but in spite of this, positive change has evolved over the past few years. However, I still find it unacceptable that my son, and many like him, are isolated within the community when I know that this does not have to be the case. Recovery for me would be for Brendan to have the best quality of life regardless of illness - to be as happy, independent and optimistic as possible - to have the ability to do something with his life regardless of what it is - to have friends, relationships and be loved. Recovery for me begins with not having to watch him living year after year in his room, pacing and talking about the next group meeting. Everybody, no matter how unwell, has the right to take control and make choices in their life. Maintenance is not good enough. We are real people, who seek empowerment to discover and fulfil our potential. For the concept of Recovery to become reality, we need the same commitment and support that other countries such as New Zealand have offered. I like the description of recovery used by the SRN. I feel that each person deserves full recognition of their merit, just as every human being has the right to a real quality of life. Recovery is happening when people can live well either in the presence or absence of their illness, and despite the many losses that may come in its wake - such as isolation, poverty, unemployment and discrimination. Recovery does not always mean that people will return to full health or retrieve all their losses, but it does mean that people can live well despite these. If you’d like to share your thoughts or experiences of recovery then contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0141 240 7790 to discuss. Click here to go back to previous page |
Story Tags
activism community/socialising/inclusion coping strategies creativity depression employment (+) exercise female hospital male medication medication (-) peer support (informal) and befriending seeing things differently self knowledge/learning/growth self management sense of self support from family support from friends support from mental health professionals supportive spouse/partner taking control talking therapies voluntary mental health services volunteering Story disclaimer
The stories presented here are for information only. They are meant to inspire hope and show that recovery can and does happen. The stories highlight various examples of recovery and we do not advocate any of these experiences as the ‘right’ way to recover. Recovery is an individual and unique process, each person must decide for himself or herself what will work for them. Please carefully consider any decisions you make about your own recovery and consult with someone you trust if you feel unsure. See our Submit Your Thoughts pages for details on how to submit a story to us or you can contact us.
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