Speeches

Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2004 Symposium, paper entitled 'The Road To Recovery' presented by Peter Schaecken

Most people who experience a mental illness recover. Some people will have only 1 or 2 episodes; others such as myself have had many more. I have had Schizophrenia for 20 years and in the early stages it was very tough. However, I have learnt something from each episode. There are many different ways to recover from mental illness but also many similarities and barriers for consumers to overcome.

Some of the issues to deal with include - Stigma, do others around the consumer treat the consumer with dignity and respect? Does the consumer feel ashamed to have experienced a mental illness? The internal stigma about having a mental illness such as schizophrenia can be very damaging. Providing accurate information about mental illness to the consumer, their friends and family must happen at the earliest stages of experiencing a mental illness. It is important for the consumer that they see themselves as a person first, And that the mental illness is only a part of them. To see yourself as a “schizophrenic” can be extremely damaging to the consumer, Like wise to see yourself as a part of the “ mentally ill” when you are well is another put down.

Having Hope about your recovery is very important and it is also important that others around the consumer as well including mental health professionals also inspire hope.
Believing in yourself, liking yourself and having a positive attitude about yourself and your mental illness are important areas for consumers.

It took me 5 years to accept that I had Schizophrenia this was because I was told firstly hat “ I might have Schizophrenia” then I was told by a psychiatrist that I had Bipolar disorder” then after an episode a psychiatrist put on a medical certificate “schizoaffective disorder. Eventually I realised myself that I did indeed have schizophrenia. Accepting that you have a mental illness plays an important role in recovery. You have to feel comfortable with your diagnosis and be aware of what it means in order to move on.

Talking to other consumers who have recovered can be very beneficial. Consumer Consultants employed through most of the state inspire hope simply by the fact that they are seen as positive role models, that they are working and that they are achieving something positive.

For myself I have been well for 10 years and I put that down to maintaining employment and working full- time. I still have hiccups, but I have learnt how to stay well, I am good at recognising early warning signs and I have a relapse prevention plan. I do not rely on mental health professionals for staying well, I rely on myself. In the last 10 years I have seen a psychiatrist about 8 times when I have had either difficulties sleeping or experiencing early warning signs or changing medication.

Finding the right medication is very important. For some consumers this is very difficult as they are sensitive to medication side effects. Consumers should in most instances try be on the absolute minimum dose to minimize side effects. If you are experiencing
Distressing side effects the consumer should insist on a change and if the doctor refuses
Change doctors. Likewise if the consumer is unhappy with their case-manager they have the right to change.

Knowing your rights is another area crucial to recovery. Consumers should be informed about their rights at the earliest possible stage.

Getting help early is crucial for staying well, To do this the consumer needs good insight into their mental illness, be able to recognise their early warnings signs and take action immediately if possible to obtain help, support and often take time out. This could mean taking time off work, making an urgent visit to their doctor, case manager, and crisis team and reducing stress.

Having structure in your day is very important. When you are not involved in any activities, and are bored, this can often lead to negative self-talk and depression..

Some of the activities I have been involved with which all help include:- fishing, computers, weight lifting and exercise, sport, going to the pub and coffee shops, going to the beach, belonging to rotaract, chess, consumer movement etc.

Friendships and relationship are just as important to people who live with a mental illness as they are to the rest of the community.

Developing coping skills are very important towards recovery; I learnt mine by being in the workforce for 5 years before I developed a mental illness, I had cognitive impairments even before I developed a mental illness. Even then I had major difficulties
In the workplace dealing with co-workers and bosses. You have to develop a thick skin to survive. This area is where many consumers fall down.

Seeing a psychologist can be helpful for consumers. Cognitive Behavior therapy is very helpful for anxiety/ depression also it can help for coping with delusions etc.

Learning to manage your money also plays an important role in relapse prevention and recovery. Being able to save money for unexpected bills, holidays, socializing, and activities etc. all help.

Setting goals for yourself and rewarding yourself when these are achieved are useful.
Working on a recovery plan with your mental health worker can help.

Recognise that trying to eliminate all stress in your life is not realistic. Everybody has stress and setbacks. Having a relapse does not mean failure.

Barriers:- Fear of going back to work, or being told by your psychiatrist that you will never work again or that you will not recover are very damaging statements, Lack of support, poverty, grief and loss, drug and alcohol abuse, Lack of rehabilitation and recovery services, lack of supported accommodation, lack of supported work opportunities, Lack of hope, negative staff attitudes, stigma and discrimination from people close to the consumer and the community, discrimination from employers, There are many others as well.

Developing a support network of consumers and friends is very positive and worthwhile.
There needs to be more activities in the community where consumers can meet and make friends. Non-Government Organisations, Consumer Consultants and Consumer Networks can sometimes help with this.

Peter Schaecken

Area Coordinator of Consumer Initiatives
Central Sydney Area Mental Health Service
May 2004

Email: peter.schaecken@email.cs.nsw.gov.au