Ways to hasten recovery and prevent a recurrence
There will be a fair amount of uncertainty about causes and outcome, but providing treatment quickly and early has been shown definitively to greatly improve prospects and outcome.
Believe in your power to affect the outcome; you can!
Make forward steps cautiously, one at a time
Go slow. Allow time for recovery. Recovery takes time. Rest is important. Things will get better in their own time. Build yourself up for the next life steps.
Consider using medication to protect your future
The medication is working and is necessary even if you feel fine. Work with your doctor to find the right medication and the right dose. Have patience, it takes time. Take medications as they are prescribed. Only take medication that is prescribed.
Try to reduce your responsibilities and stresses, at least for the next six months
Take it easy. Use a personal yardstick. Compare this month to last month rather than last year or next year.
Use the symptoms as indicators
If they reappear, slow down, simplify and look for support and help quickly. Learn and use your early warning signs and changes in symptoms. Consult with your family clinician or psychiatrist. Anticipate stresses and avoid or modify them when you can. Create a positive environment.
Keep it cool
Enthusiasm is normal. Tone it down. Disagreement is normal. Tone it down too.
Give each other space
Time out is important for everyone. It’s okay to say “no.”
Observe Limits
Everyone needs to know what the rules are. A few good rules keep things clear.
Ignore what you can’t change
Let some things slide. Don’t ignore violence or concerns about suicide!
Keep it simple
Say what you have to say clearly, calmly and positively.
Carry on business as usual
Reestablish family routines as quickly as possible. Stay in touch with family and friends.
Solve problems step by step
Make changes gradually. Work on one thing at a time. Look for coping methods that work for you, and work with your clinicians to find other methods when yours don’t work.
Watch for large reactions to even little changes in relationships
Have a plan for what to do and where to get help. Don’t get too vigilant.
Keep a regular sleep and wake cycle
Don’t fly more than four time zones in one day. Avoid night shift or rotating shift jobs. Don’t do all-nighters, for work or play. Pay attention to the needs of siblings.
Keep a balanced life and a balanced perspective
Keep up an outside occupation, but don’t work too hard
Take time to cool out
If it’s in your nature, use Zen or other meditation techniques to keep stress, strain and anxiety to a minimum.
Watch out for the effects of street drugs and alcohol
They make symptoms worse and may cause relapse. Never use cocaine, amphetamines, (“speed”) or hallucinogens at all for any reason. Avoid over-the-counter stimulants like pseudoephedrine, diet pills, and inhalants. They’re internal stimulants and can cause biologically rapid onset of psychosis. Keep alcohol to a bare minimum, or use none at all if possible. Stay away from nicotine and caffeine, as hard as that might be.
Explain your circumstances to your closest relatives and friends, and ask them to help and stand by you
Don’t move abruptly or very far away from your family home or home town until this period passes and stability returns
If you have to move prepare well in advance.
