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| Responsibility in the Rebuilding Stage: Taking Control |
Hope in the Rebuilding Stage: Active Pursuit of Personal Goals
After laying the groundwork in the Preparation stage, the person starts taking concrete steps towards his or her goals in the Rebuilding stage. These steps may involve tasks in pursuit of concrete high-level or distal goals. Alternatively, the person may decide to pursue the goal of recovery ‘one step at a time’, as he or she feels ready. An anonymous consumer who had been employed successfully in a technical position for a number of years, while attending regular therapy and a support group explains:
I can’t say that my life now is as I had expected it to be before my break, but as things have improved for me since then, I have some hope that maybe I can have a more satisfying life in the future (Anonymous, 1989, p. 346).
Although he clearly does not consider himself ‘recovered’, this person is looking forward to a future more fulfilling life, despite not having a clear goal. Sometimes it is necessary to reformulate poorly defined or difficult goals into smaller, attainable steps. Setting specific, proximal goals can increase feelings of self-efficacy when striving for a distant goal (Latham and Locke, 1991). Koehler (1994) also describes this stage of rebuilding hope:
Eventually, I got a job as a cashier at a convenience store, and moved out on my own. This was a very stressful time, but I found within myself the strength and stamina to keep it all going. . . . As a result of these challenges, I felt much more confident in the face of the public . . . and I felt rather matter-of-fact about keeping my living situation running smoothly. (p. 22)
With achieving incremental successes, one’s sense of personal agency increases. Davidson and Strauss (1992) noted that the ‘dawning of hope’ (p. 136), which occurs in the early stages of recovery, recurs during the course of recovery. The perception of success in the pursuit of meaningful goals provides this spiral of hope.
As we saw in Chapter 4, Emmons, Colby and Kaiser (1998) found that for some, perceived recovery from loss was associated with the ability to retain, rather than change, important goals. Similarly, some consumer authors are adamant that recovery from mental illness involves the ability to retain personal goals, or – given that many people succumb to mental illness in young adulthood – to aspire to and achieve similar goals and roles as others of the same demographic (e.g. Curtis, 2000; Mead and Copeland, 2000). Indeed, Mead and Copeland pointed out that many people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses are pursuing professional careers. This is amply demonstrated by the number of authors we have cited, for example, Bassman (2001), Chadwick (1997), Deegan (1988), Frese (2000), Schiff (2004) and Wentworth (1994), who were working in a professional capacity at the time of their respective publications.
It would be a mistake, therefore, to assume that a person with a serious mental illness should necessarily set lower-level goals. On the other hand, while distal or higher-level goals provide a source of meaning in life, proximal or interim goals are a source of agency (King, 1998; Little, 1998). Shortening one’s pathways thinking preserves agentic thought (Snyder, 2000a). With the attainment of incremental goals, pathways to goals are affirmed and agency increases. Thus, the attainment of small goals builds hope (Snyder, 2002). F. Dickerson (2000) describes how she is pursuing her goals hopefully, and at a pace with which she feels comfortable, by making use of resources at a rehabilitation centre:
Here, I have been able to explore my dreams and abilities. I have always wanted to be a professional in the human services field. With help from the Center staff I was able to get accepted to the Counseling Psychology Program [at college]. (p. 28)
Dickerson relates that she suffered a set-back when the course touched on issues that she was still working through in therapy, necessitating a leave of absence. However, she continues: ‘I hope to return to the graduate course in the near future. I will also be investigating how to handle confusing and painful feelings with [my therapist]’ (p. 28).
Until now, this discussion has centred on working towards career goals. However, many consumers find fulfilment in non-career roles, volunteer work or personal development: ‘There is a vast spectrum of ways to live and love life with a neurochemical imbalance’ (Fekete, 2004, p. 194). Goals including creative pursuits, physical fitness and connection with others were also mentioned in the consumer stories. For example, Henderson (2004) describes how involvement in recreational activities opened up a new world of creative self-expression for her, and how these activities contribute towards her recovery:
I had never thought about doing arts and crafts projects, but now I enjoy them very much. I enjoy language and am an avid reader, as well as interested in writing.
Listening to music, as well as playing the keyboard, is uplifting and/or soothing, depending on how I feel at the time. These activities help me unwind and relax as well as build up my self esteem. (p. 82)
An anonymous writer (Anonymous, 1994a) describes how regular exercise in the form of jogging contributed to his wellbeing, in addition to the physical health benefits:
This not only provided me with a certain amount of structure, but the activity itself reduced stress and thus helped even out my moods. In addition, my self-worth improved as my times gradually improved, and I soon recognized that I was functioning in a way I had previous to my hospitalizations. (p. 15)
While Berman (1994) describes rebuilding his social life:
Most important [of the rehabilitation programs] perhaps was the several hours per day that I would spend in the coffee shops, hours of growing friendship and conversation with people who could understand. Here were people, not patients, sharing our concerns . . .. As I climbed the path towards recovery I became interested, almost obsessed with the desire for a social life. (p. 43)
Berman then joined a singles club where he met a large variety of men and women, some of whom became good friends. He continues: ‘And on this dual social program I progressed towards wellness’ (p. 43).
King (1998) has described the reinstatement of agency after the loss of one’s life goals as ‘a process of reconstructing and reinvesting in a future toward which to strive’ (p. 122). The recovery stories demonstrate how the attainment of, or progress towards, goals in all domains of life contribute to building hope, thereby promoting wellbeing and recovery.
After laying the groundwork in the Preparation stage, the person starts taking concrete steps towards his or her goals in the Rebuilding stage. These steps may involve tasks in pursuit of concrete high-level or distal goals. Alternatively, the person may decide to pursue the goal of recovery ‘one step at a time’, as he or she feels ready. An anonymous consumer who had been employed successfully in a technical position for a number of years, while attending regular therapy and a support group explains:
I can’t say that my life now is as I had expected it to be before my break, but as things have improved for me since then, I have some hope that maybe I can have a more satisfying life in the future (Anonymous, 1989, p. 346).
Although he clearly does not consider himself ‘recovered’, this person is looking forward to a future more fulfilling life, despite not having a clear goal. Sometimes it is necessary to reformulate poorly defined or difficult goals into smaller, attainable steps. Setting specific, proximal goals can increase feelings of self-efficacy when striving for a distant goal (Latham and Locke, 1991). Koehler (1994) also describes this stage of rebuilding hope:
Eventually, I got a job as a cashier at a convenience store, and moved out on my own. This was a very stressful time, but I found within myself the strength and stamina to keep it all going. . . . As a result of these challenges, I felt much more confident in the face of the public . . . and I felt rather matter-of-fact about keeping my living situation running smoothly. (p. 22)
With achieving incremental successes, one’s sense of personal agency increases. Davidson and Strauss (1992) noted that the ‘dawning of hope’ (p. 136), which occurs in the early stages of recovery, recurs during the course of recovery. The perception of success in the pursuit of meaningful goals provides this spiral of hope.
As we saw in Chapter 4, Emmons, Colby and Kaiser (1998) found that for some, perceived recovery from loss was associated with the ability to retain, rather than change, important goals. Similarly, some consumer authors are adamant that recovery from mental illness involves the ability to retain personal goals, or – given that many people succumb to mental illness in young adulthood – to aspire to and achieve similar goals and roles as others of the same demographic (e.g. Curtis, 2000; Mead and Copeland, 2000). Indeed, Mead and Copeland pointed out that many people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses are pursuing professional careers. This is amply demonstrated by the number of authors we have cited, for example, Bassman (2001), Chadwick (1997), Deegan (1988), Frese (2000), Schiff (2004) and Wentworth (1994), who were working in a professional capacity at the time of their respective publications.
It would be a mistake, therefore, to assume that a person with a serious mental illness should necessarily set lower-level goals. On the other hand, while distal or higher-level goals provide a source of meaning in life, proximal or interim goals are a source of agency (King, 1998; Little, 1998). Shortening one’s pathways thinking preserves agentic thought (Snyder, 2000a). With the attainment of incremental goals, pathways to goals are affirmed and agency increases. Thus, the attainment of small goals builds hope (Snyder, 2002). F. Dickerson (2000) describes how she is pursuing her goals hopefully, and at a pace with which she feels comfortable, by making use of resources at a rehabilitation centre:
Here, I have been able to explore my dreams and abilities. I have always wanted to be a professional in the human services field. With help from the Center staff I was able to get accepted to the Counseling Psychology Program [at college]. (p. 28)
Dickerson relates that she suffered a set-back when the course touched on issues that she was still working through in therapy, necessitating a leave of absence. However, she continues: ‘I hope to return to the graduate course in the near future. I will also be investigating how to handle confusing and painful feelings with [my therapist]’ (p. 28).
Until now, this discussion has centred on working towards career goals. However, many consumers find fulfilment in non-career roles, volunteer work or personal development: ‘There is a vast spectrum of ways to live and love life with a neurochemical imbalance’ (Fekete, 2004, p. 194). Goals including creative pursuits, physical fitness and connection with others were also mentioned in the consumer stories. For example, Henderson (2004) describes how involvement in recreational activities opened up a new world of creative self-expression for her, and how these activities contribute towards her recovery:
I had never thought about doing arts and crafts projects, but now I enjoy them very much. I enjoy language and am an avid reader, as well as interested in writing.
Listening to music, as well as playing the keyboard, is uplifting and/or soothing, depending on how I feel at the time. These activities help me unwind and relax as well as build up my self esteem. (p. 82)
An anonymous writer (Anonymous, 1994a) describes how regular exercise in the form of jogging contributed to his wellbeing, in addition to the physical health benefits:
This not only provided me with a certain amount of structure, but the activity itself reduced stress and thus helped even out my moods. In addition, my self-worth improved as my times gradually improved, and I soon recognized that I was functioning in a way I had previous to my hospitalizations. (p. 15)
While Berman (1994) describes rebuilding his social life:
Most important [of the rehabilitation programs] perhaps was the several hours per day that I would spend in the coffee shops, hours of growing friendship and conversation with people who could understand. Here were people, not patients, sharing our concerns . . .. As I climbed the path towards recovery I became interested, almost obsessed with the desire for a social life. (p. 43)
Berman then joined a singles club where he met a large variety of men and women, some of whom became good friends. He continues: ‘And on this dual social program I progressed towards wellness’ (p. 43).
King (1998) has described the reinstatement of agency after the loss of one’s life goals as ‘a process of reconstructing and reinvesting in a future toward which to strive’ (p. 122). The recovery stories demonstrate how the attainment of, or progress towards, goals in all domains of life contribute to building hope, thereby promoting wellbeing and recovery.
