Stay In Balance
Road to Recovery
Relief of symptoms is only the first step in treating depression or bipolar disorder. The goal of treatment is wellness and recovery---a return to a life that is meaningful. Recovery happens when individuals decide what recovery means to them. At times, depression and bipolar disorder may make it seem difficult to set recovery goals. But, goal-setting is an important part of wellness, no matter the point on the path to recovery. Stay in Balance encourages individuals to participate in group sessions, talking to health care providers, therapists, family members, or fellow support group participant to help define an individual’s path to recovery.A stepping stone to staying in balance!
Doris’ Road to Recovery list 2009Chris Road to Recovery list 2009
January
Restore – My inner faith and spiritual needs. This is my foundation to recovery to help establish inner peace. I’ve been struggling with this and need to get my feet grounded again.Realize – Spend each day learning one thing about an illness that has affected my life and others
February
Regulate – Take meds, eat right and take vitamins to maintain balance.Recover – Each day write down a thought that needs to be filtered and store away.
March
Regain – Trust in others and meds. I’ve had a rough life of many let downs with people and doctors especially this past year with many hospitalizations due to problems with meds and still experience.Regulate – Same as February
April
Restructure – Negative thinking-filter out and discard. Negative thoughts create feelings. Feelings create action.Repent – Pray twice a day ask for forgiveness and give thanks for the blessing of life.
May
Rectify – Each day of the month find quotes to my thoughts and understand what life is about. I like quotes-these boost my mood and give me something positive to think about.June
Reopen the doors – I’ve closed and learn new ways to cope with my Illness. I pretty much distanced myself from society, lost a lot of friends, and want to learn new ways to cope with illness instead of acting out destroying things, friendship, and closing doors.Reassurance – Everyday talk with family or friends about the illness, understanding, support, and past mistakes.
July
Release – The stress and struggles within me. Instead of holding on to these, I want to learn to let go and also continue my therapy sessions.August
Repent – Ask for forgiveness to my mistakes I’ve made. Do this by praying each day.Rebuild – Work on your inner self by doing one thing each day that makes you feel happy.
September
Realize – Spend each day learning one thing about your illness that has affected by life and others. Good idea because my illness has impacted me and others a lot (good and bad).Regret – Potholes are all over the road, so don’t look back and feel bad about?
October
Rebuild – Do something that makes me feel good.Remember – Life is a journeys down a long road so don’t forget about the stops you did or didn’t make.
November
Repetition – Keep practicing commitment to change. This is to do all the previous stepping stones to prevent relapse.Receive – Happiness is always around you, so know your heart is cleansed to receive happiness and love.
December
Reflect – The progress I’ve made and life is a journey. Take notice how each step has helped to stay in balance and that it was a journey.Rest – It has been a long road this past year, but after committing to the road to recovery plan balance has been improved and now your are working to stay in balance.