The other day I met a carer for a bipolar person who told me with great conviction that, "There is no recovery from bipolar disorder". the best we can hope to do is manage the condition.
This is essentially what I had been told ten years ago. Now, talking to this carer it seems this continues to be the message from many in the NHS. It is a matter of, `do not think about recovery just try to get by'.
In some ways managing and recovery are not so different. The MDF Self Management Training has the word management in its title and even the greatest fans of mental health recovery admit that you have to work on recovery everyday to minimise the risk of relapse.
The difference though, comes in the way the words are used. When we say, `Self Management' this is an empowering phrase. Similarly, `Journey of Recovery' is empowering as most journeys involve the traveler making choices and using their own strengths in some way in order to progress.
What difference does the exact language have on those newly diagnosed with a mental health condition? From my own experience hearing anything that implies `no recovery' takes away hope and destabilises my mood. Hearing people talking about recovery, however slight, and however hard won, gives me hope and stabilises my mood.
Yes, some may say I am dreamer, but I would rather be a dreamer and live with with more stable moods and hope of continuing recovery than live in a nightmare devoid of hope.
When I was really ill I needed support from mental health professionals. When I started to recover I found that every contact with mental health professionals set me back. Now I just see my GP every few months.
Training course available in the UK: Understanding Bipolar Disorder