Learn About Your Illness to Thrive With It

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By Emilia Valente

Mental illness is tricky and treated in many different ways. Some need medication to control symptoms and function, and others just need coping skills and self-help. Most will need a combo.

Whatever works for you, the key thing is knowing your illness, what triggers it, and when it’s getting out of control.

You Are a Powerful Force

Most of us have a list of symptoms that alert us, and we may need to take a little TLC time. We go see a doctor, review medication, or go to the ER.

In most cases it’s great to have a safety plan with your supports. A safety plan is a plan you come up with, together with healthcare providers, professionals and personal supports, to ensure you’re safe and healthy.

Always have it with you: it will save your life. Get to know your illness; once you do, you gain your personal control back.

You are a powerful force!

Use An Emergency List

Keep a list of symptoms. They are warnings that something has gone awry. Triggers usually cause symptoms, so have a list of them as well, and know your limitations.

Limitations are known when you are taking on too much. Usually your symptoms will start to become more intense or make a reappearance. I use that as a warning to slow down.

To recap, have a safety plan in place, keep a list of symptoms and know your limitations. Practising self-care has helped me deal with PTSD and Bipolar.

Have a great day.

Reproduced with permission, originally posted on sexyfearlessfierce.com