When it comes to functioning on a scale of 1-10, I’ve generally rated high. But, there are days.
Function measures how a person gets daily tasks accomplished like getting out of bed, taking a shower, tackling chores. General consensus of the treatment staff is that if a person is a 4 or under, they probably need to be admitted to the hospital. Here’s what I’m doing to keep my Function score high.
- Attend the After-Care support group for one month.
- Schedule weekly appointments with my therapist
- Continue Daily Planning
- Monitor for symptoms of Lapse and put Step-up Plan in place
The After-Care group is an extension of what we did every day at the hospital. It’s a combination of checking in and being held accountable. There’s also a deep and unique understanding between peers. We know the pain and the faulty thinking. We know when to challenge someone and when to soothe. There’s nothing like being with folks who “get it.” But since this group is an hour away, I only committed to attending for four weeks. Gas money only stretches so far, and I won’t dig myself into debt that way again. I’m hoping for other options by the time July rolls around.
Weekly sessions with Megan, my therapist, is a no-brainer. She goes on maternity leave soon, but carefully matched her cases to other therapists in the clinic to minimize our trauma. I’m constantly amazed by her level of professionalism and the great respect she affords us. I’ll miss her, but that won’t stop me from utilizing her sub.
In treatment, we made planning an art form. Self-monitoring, setting small goals, and marking successes kept us moving forward. It’s easy to lose track of what’s important. I took the sheet we filled out every day, customized it for my needs, then took it to my copy shop where they made a tear-off pad that I can carry in my writing bag. In the morning, I rip off a page, quickly fill it out, and tape it in my journal. This way I can see my progress and where I need to concentrate my efforts. By keeping my daily plan, I was able to recognize the depression sooner when it came back this week and watch to see if it would turn into a lapse. With that criteria on my daily plan, I didn’t need to guess or stew about it. And if I lapsed, I had my Step-up plan taped to my Mind Palace, ready to be put in place. This time the mood shifted and I didn’t need the extra measures. It was good practice, because I will need them sometimes.
Even for a planner like me, this new level of self-monitoring feels gnat’s ass-obsessive sometimes. But, I can see how much it helps. I can feel it. And that’s all that matters.
Jun 05, 2014 @ 07:07:05
Thanks for sharing your plans, Sandy! We are all pulling for you!
Jun 05, 2014 @ 11:43:40
You’re so very sweet, P. Get Richard to lend a hand, would you?
Jun 05, 2014 @ 11:50:26
Good idea!! 😄
Jun 05, 2014 @ 09:02:37
Keep it up, Sandy
Jun 05, 2014 @ 11:43:02
Thanks, my friend.
Jun 05, 2014 @ 09:58:42
I can see where this organization plan for functioning could be very helpful. I may try this, in the sense that I rarely think of incorporating fun and relaxation in my day. That is a vital part of good mental health for me, yet I tend to bypass that time and again.
Jun 05, 2014 @ 11:42:46
I know that’s why we always had to include it. Some folks wanted to list “sleep” as relaxation, but that’s not quite right. We have to find ways to wind down and soothe ourselves.
Jun 05, 2014 @ 11:52:03
“gnats ass obsessive” – love it. You really DO have to put in the work on this process, don’t you? I admire that kind of commitment.
Jun 07, 2014 @ 05:49:21
Thanks, Peg-O.