2. Health care journeys

People who have been diagnosed with a serious health condition – mental, physical or both – generally find that the diagnosis is the start of a journey. They need to learn to deal with the changes and new needs for managing their health. For many, this journey is not straight and clear. Rather, it is a pathway that curves and branches as they learn new skills, make new discoveries and overcome setbacks as they move towards health. Over time, it is possible to look back and see, despite the halting progress and discouragements, how far they have really come. It can be helpful to keep a journal to record progress, and to set milestones and work to achieve them. Even if these milestones aren’t achieved, or if a setback causes a relapse, we can always learn from such moments, and get back on the pathway.

The first step in the journey to recovery begins with a decision that life must improve. Once a diagnosis has been made, the patient must find the determination to stop just surviving, and start gaining back their life, piece by piece. That is when recovery begins and treatment can begin.

2.1 Treatment

The most effective treatments generally combine medication and some form of psychotherapy. Combination treatments bring about more rapid relief from symptoms, and usually result in lower relapse rates. However, treatment is not generally a quick or straightforward process. It can take some time to find the right treatment, your response to treatment might change over time, and you might need to start again on new medications. Also, some medications have can have unpleasant side effects, and it may be necessary to assess whether the benefits of the medications outweigh the side effects. At this early stage, it is vital to find support from people who understand what you're

going through. Support groups and other social institutions offer further support and encouragement, easing the recovery process dramatically. Speaking regularly to people who have been through a similar process can help you prepare for what's ahead and help you avoid any problems that they may have encountered in their recovery.

2.2 Recovery

As time passes, you will find yourself in another stage of recovery as your condition becomes more manageable. Many things can contribute to this improvement: an accurate diagnosis, effective medication, supportive talking therapy, and your own growing knowledge of your condition and how to live with it. For many people, this is a lifelong process, but it is increasingly the case that people with mental health challenges lead active and fulfilled lives. Remember that a journey leads to a new place, and that place can be fulfilling and positive. The intention is not to ‘return’ to some original state of being but rather to learn and grow and to understand oneself better.