Long-Term Goals
The group discussed different stressors they experienced in life and how they managed troublesome symptoms. The group recommended taking medications and working with a psychiatrist. They emphasized building supportive relationships that were open and honest about symptoms. Some participants expressed problems with medication side effects and medications that seemed to stop working. The group emphasized open communication with doctor’s clinics and left messages to get a return call.
Participants said it was important to write down feelings and negative thoughts in a journal and bring it to individual therapy to untangle the large snarl created by the symptoms. They noticed that depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder influenced their psychosis symptoms. One participant talked about suicidal and homicidal thoughts and how they could come and didn’t indicate that they were in danger, but it was one symptom of about ten to fifteen symptoms that came into their conscious mind. The participant told others how to observe symptoms and let them be there and not get upset that they were there. The group agreed that observing the symptoms helped them understand their inner selves.
The group encouraged those with PTSD symptoms to get an individual therapist who could understand past abuse and move forward into the present time. Participants talked about trauma and how it can return later in life when triggered. Long discussions about trauma, psychosis, dissociation, alters, or different parts of oneself that can develop from childhood and adulthood trauma were presented in group therapy. The group discussed symptoms that some participants said no one else would understand. Reminders to be patient and not judge themselves opened up conversations.
Participants talked to others about support groups that they attended to help them manage and how NAMI groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Abuse survivor groups, supportive people, helpful psychiatrists, and other providers who had helped them maintain stability.
They talked openly about psychiatry and medications along with side effects from medications. The participants shared their experiences that benefited their symptoms and helped them become stable. Some talked about problems and others talked about benefits from the same anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medication.
The group encouraged others to work with a team, to get stable on medications, and to be patient since it can take weeks or months. Discussions around self-care addressed proper sleep, healthy nutrition, taking medications, and being able to organize and plan. Participants commented on others’ achievements in what they did and how they were changing. Participants talked about support groups that helped them feel love and belonging. The group talked about self-esteem and self-image, what they did in the past, and how they realized they had changed. Being patient with yourself involves the use of self-compassion concepts with this issue.
The group explained how the severe symptoms can continue over a lifetime. Maintaining stability was emphasized. Group members reminded others that sobriety and self-care had to be done daily. Recovery was given another term. One participant told others that they may never recover from the disease, but will have it the rest of their life, but that they could maintain stability with the help of a team of providers and then return to work or college.
One family member relayed a message about being incredibly grateful for the treatment. Psychosis started in the first year of college for another family member and the family was certain that it would mean no more college and no chance of a degree. With encouragement and suggestions from the group, the college-age participant got stabilized on medications, continued individual therapy and psychiatry, and returned to college classes.
How a person functions can be different from one person to the next. The group encouraged the participant to keep managing the symptoms every day and be open with the psychiatrist and therapist about any changes. With determination and helpful suggestions, most participants returned to work, college, volunteer jobs, or caring for family members after they completed the program. This was aided by staying sober, taking medications, working with a team, eating healthy foods, getting proper sleep, and exercising.
Ideas from Group Therapy
Goal: Return to college
Become stable on my medications for 2-3 months.
I would do better if I lived at home to get more support.
Be open and honest with my providers about my symptoms and side effects.
Take medications each day as prescribed.
Stay sober.
I want to look at one or two classes.
I can practice reading up on subjects for classes.
Talk to an advisor about classes, accommodations, and financial aid.
Ask my doctor/provider for a note stating I am in treatment so I can get accommodations.
Give the note to the student disability center at college.
I can ask for help with registration for classes.
Get a bus pass or a parking pass.
I could check to see if there are online class options.
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Goal: Return to work
Become stable on my medications for 2-3 months.
Find a support group.
Be open and honest with my providers about my symptoms and side effects.
Take medications each day as prescribed.
Stay sober.
Talk to Human Resources about accommodations.
Ask my doctor/provider for a note stating I am in treatment so I can get accommodations.
Complete FMLA paperwork, or return to work forms, as needed.
Talk with state vocational rehabilitation services.
Ask for a job coach to help with the return to work process.
Assess my level of concentration with a supportive person.
Talk about my job duties with a supportive person or a job coach.
Be honest and open with the supportive person about feelings and attitudes.
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Goal: Return to family and community
Become stable on my medications for 2-3 months.
I would do better if I communicated my symptoms to my therapist providers, and support person.
Be open and honest with my providers about my symptoms and side effects.
Take medications each day as prescribed.
Stay sober.
I can plan a few activities or chores and slowly build up to do more activities each week.
I can ask others to help around the house, such as putting things away and wiping off counters.
Talk to a supportive person each week.
Make appointments and write them on a calendar for family, kids, school, medical, or holidays.
Keep a record of bills to pay and place them together in a folder or box where I can see them.
Try to keep things in order each day.
Sort the mail each day and put the junk mail right into the recycle bin.
Plan events to do with the family. Talk each week with family about events.
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