What helps me in the 'bad times'

What helps me in the 'bad times'?

• Remember it's an illness. Don't take it personally if my illness makes me say and do things that may be disturbing to you.
• Call me. Don't stop caring or checking up on how I'm doing.
• Protect my dignity and well being. I may be unwell but I am still a thinking feeling human being. There are laws that set out how I am to be treated and cared for in hospital and within the community.
• Know that the bad episodes will pass. My illness may not be all 'episodes' and when I find out how to live with it, things can get better.
• Bring flowers to hospital. People in hospital get flowers, phone calls and visits. I'd like those too.
• Look after yourself. It's not your fault I am unwell. If you are caring for me take some time out for yourself. Let's not both get sick.
• Consider how long it takes. Just because I have been discharged from hospital doesn't mean I can now continue life at full speed. I may still need a meal or two.

What helps in the 'every-other-day' times?

What helps in the 'every-other-day' times'?

• Develop a healthy lifestyle. Find out how sleep, activities, eating habits, relationships, companion animals, stress and exercise affect your mental health.
• Know your symptoms. Find out how your illness works so that you can manage episodes if and when they happen.
• Keep the good people. People who accept you for who you are.
• Find out about your medication. Know if it has side effects and how they could affect you. Talk about this with your doctor. Make choices.
• Have a 'forward plan' for what to do if you become unwell. This plan lets your family, friends and doctor know what you need and how you'd liked to be treated when you are having an episode so you can get better sooner.

What helps over a 'lifetime'?

What helps over a 'lifetime'?

• Meet with other people. Find self-help groups, or support groups who share the same diagnosis and experiences, and talk about them. Realise you are not alone.
• Create a professional support network. This can take time. Try and find people you feel at ease with who can be a part of your professional support network eg, a doctor, counsellor, psychiatrist, etc. Stick with them. It is easier for a medical professional to help you if they have your medical history and background.
• Plan to work at something. Study, volunteer or paid. Remember it is against the law for an employer to discriminate against someone because of his or her mental illness. Also, it's your choice about telling someone else you have had an experience with mental illness.