Mental Health Recovery Strategic Planning

Get an intimate inside look into a therapy session with a person diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The main issue we discussed had to do with the weekends and how tough they can be for me. This is something that is pretty consistent and so I think my therapist and I should problem-solve and figure out a way to make them easier for me. I think they're hard, because it's unpredictable whether I'll feel comfortable being around other people, which isn't so much of an issue Monday through Thursday because there tends to be more activity going on around my property on those days. Plus, my caregiver is usually around of course.  However, on the weekend, she is gone, we don't have our sessions, and my wife may need to make plans, lest she stay home by herself.   

Some important things for me to remember:

-My wife wants to spend time with me.

-My wife also understands why I may not want to be around other people sometimes and she doesn't judge me when I want to be alone.

-Her making other plans is healthy and has nothing to do with me personally.  

But I can see how I may find myself alone when I don't want to be. So that's what we need to figure out. My wife’s suggestion of using the "Peer Linkers" is a good one.  I think we should follow up with that.   

We can also see if my caregiver can make an extra effort to offer to spend time with me on Thursdays and to double-check with me to make sure I am stocked for the weekend with the things I need.

Otherwise, my wife's idea regarding my new project is simply a vehicle to spend time with me and do something together. But something like this can be overwhelming to think about. So my therapist will investigate this idea slowly and make sure we're not looking at it in black-and-white. For example, I may want to do some type of project together, but maybe not one so big. 

I have really been enjoying and benefiting from my setting our sessions up with the chairs and the taping. I think it lends itself to more organization.  I must remember that there is no pressure to make each session amazing.  Some will be, but some will be average. And if I am having too many flights of ideas I shouldn’t forget that my doctor takes notes and I am recording sometimes.  

Overall, I have been doing great!