What the Professionals Say
Here is what some Irish mental health professionals have to say about Recovery
Recovery provides an opportunity for the patient to practise self-help and to take over the management of their lives once again. Where I have encountered patients who embraced the Recovery programme my job has been made easier. In my experience, practice of Recovery's self help techniques helps patients to respond more quickly to treatment. This can lead to shorter and less frequent hospitalisations, less need for medication. At the same time Recovery members are encouraged to maintain a good relationship with their therapist, and it is a pity that psychiatrists don't pay more attention to the work and achievement of self-help organizations such as this.
The environment at the Recovery meeting is conducive to individual members learning social skills which they have often failed to take on during their development and they learn to live more fully. The overall effect is to accelerate the patient to the stage where he/she can gain control over their own lives. Indeed it is work of this kind which should be the main thrust of therapy as medication, is, at best, only a temporary means of making the patient more accessible to such an approach.
Prof. Ivor Browne
F.R.C.P.I, F.R.C.Psych, M.Sc.(Harv) D.P.M.
Former Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin and Chief Psychiatrist of
the Eastern Health Board
Recovery teaches coping skills to people who have experienced problems in the mental health area. It is of particular benefit to patients who have fear, anxiety or physical symptoms with a psychological cause. The overall effect of regular attendance at Recovery meetings is to hasten the recuperation of the recovering patient.
The self-help programme of Abraham Low M.D. emphasises that patients attending Recovery must comply with the treatment regime of their mental health professional. The effect of this is that patients cooperate more constructively in their own rehabilitation and develop insights into the nature of their own condition. This is a 'win-win' situation for both patient and therapist. For the patient this means more rapid progress towards wellness; for the therapist it means fewer panic calls, and greater patient self-reliance and insight.
When the patient has regained good mental health, the practice of Recovery principles in daily life provides a 'code of best practice', to maintain good mental health. Regular practice of these principles in daily living helps people to live life more fully as well as reducing the severity and frequency of relapses where these occur.
The environment at the Recovery meeting gives the recovering patient hope, encouragement, support and a feeling of belonging among those who understand. This helps members integrate back into society more rapidly and more fully.
Prof. Patricia Casey
Department
of Adult Psychiatry, Mater Hospital, Dublin.
I first became convinced of the benefit of Recovery in the 1970's. Since then I have seen the benefits that accrue to patients who regularly attend meetings and put into practice the teachings of Dr. Low. Recovery offers acceptance, support and guidance and a way forward for those with symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Dr A. O' Flaherty
M.B, M.R.C.Psych., DP.M.
Dept of Psychiatry, St. Patrick's Hospital, Dublin
I first learned about Recovery over 30 years ago while I was a Psychiatrist in training, from a lady who was suffering from a serious depressive illness.
Since I discovered Recovery at that early stage in my training, I have advised many people who have had some improvement with psychiatric treatment, but have not achieved as much as they would wish, to attend Recovery meetings and to see if it were suitable for them. A large proportion of them have found that (Recovery) has added an extra dimension to their progress. It has enabled them to achieve a level and sense of well-being which often medical or clinical treatment has not achieved for them. Over the years many, many people have told me how Recovery made a big difference to their lives and that it enabled them to achieve a good level of emotional being and a good quality of life
The Recovery organisation has stood the test of time and the fact that Recovery meetings exist in many countries over the world proves that its benefits are universal and not just local.
Kenneth Sinanan
MA MD FRC Psych. DPM
Consultant Psychiatrist
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