4. Hyperbole: This is Why I will never be an Adult
Psychoeducation Principles and Reflections
Psychoeducation is a broad term within psychiatric rehabilitation practice. As the Bond and Anderson article (2015) assert, the practice of psychoeducation can include just the individual with mental illness, just the family and/or caregivers, or a combination of the three. Additionally, psychoeducation can be done with groups or with individuals. There are many models, but in general, the content ranges from providing information about medication, to information about mental illness, and managing life and symptoms (Bond & Anderson, 2015). The article cited above conducted a meta-analysis of many different psychoeducation programs, and concluded that in general, groups of people who went through a program together tended to have better outcomes (e.g., fewer symptoms, fewer relapses) than if the individual practitioner conducted psychoeducation with an individual patient (Bond & Anderson, 2015). The second article available on Blackboard detailed a qualitative study done in
This chapter made me think of myself at the beginning of every school year. I always begin the school year the way Allie started “adulting,” she had all these plans and was so excited to do them, but then after a few days or so of following and executing the plans, she began to congratulate herself on such a good job she's been doing which causes her to stop doing what she's been doing and ignore all responsibilities and “internet forever.”
ReplyDeleteThe thought and behaviors in this chapter that are consistent with depression would probably be the guilt she begins to feel after she stops working on her responsibilities. “It takes up a sizable portion of my capacity, leaving me almost completely useless for anything other than consuming nachos and surfing the internet like an attention-deficient squirrel on PCP.”
I couldn't agree more! I get so excited for school promising to stay on top of things and eat right and exercise and whatnot. Ha! Doesn't last long but the difference is no matter how much I might want to bail, I don't. The internet forever part is really relatable too because you can bet that I reward myself with Netflix on a daily basis.
DeleteI found myself identifying with the chart she drew herself where I feel successful when I have few things going on and I'm just working. But then you add on a few more things like oh... taking a summer class or getting a second job to really "rake in the money" and the whole system fails. I get it. It's tiring to always feel like you have some sort of responsibility all the time. Where I can't quite relate are the thoughts and behaviors that are consistent with depression. Things like wearing yourself out and completely slacking off or calling out of work (kind of what she makes it seem like). Everyone needs a break but feeling guilty sounds like an unhealthy coping mechanism. If you schedule time for a break and its regular and helps you feel less worn out then you shouldn't feel guilty. Ignoring responsibilities and rebelling seem to be more of those behaviors. Depression comes in many forms.
ReplyDeleteIf you got a second job, I applaud you. I can barely work my one job and take a summer class let alone do two jobs with the class! But anyway, I agree with you on that everyone needs a break but feeling guilty about it would become unhealthy very fast. Breaks are good, you can't just go go go and expect your body to follow along, your body needs time to rest and recuperate, and theres no need to feel guilty about it!
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ReplyDelete"I sit myself down and tell myself how I'm going to start cleaning the house every day and paying my bills on time and replying to emails before my inbox reaches quadruple digits." This is me every single day. I do pay all my bills on time to keep my credit score high, but I really have to sit myself down to convince myself to clean. It sucks, especially when you're cleaning up someone else's mess. I also like when she says she feel like sometimes that adulthood is a trophy you earn. I use to feel the same exact way until I came to terms that you can't and will never always win. There is no ending to adulthood like there is when you receive a trophy. You have to take everyday like a new day. I think it is easy to experience the "common symptoms" that are associated with depression. I work two jobs, do my practicum, and take classes on top of that all and I get really down on myself sometimes, like you can't see a way to dig yourself out of all that mess, that is why you take it one day at a time.
ReplyDeleteWords to live by! Everything you have said is so on point! To adult is a day by day process and you have to take it as it comes or else you will feel like you are drowning in "adulting". And you are right, there is no ending to adulthood; once you start you will never stop!
DeleteTaking it one step at a time is the best way to go. You take all of that pressure of getting everything done and then what happens... all that pressure weighs down on you until you want to just pause and take a break. Being adult isn't simple and as you grow, the responsibilities become endless.
DeleteEverything about this chapter spoke to me on every level, to be honest this chapter is me! The first thing I thought of when I started the chapter was college and how "on my own" I tell my parents I am. But to be honest, I call my mom probably once a day for an answer for something. Not because I can't function without her but because she is my go to person when I am home and is usually the first person I talk to. For the most part I started adulting when I started my first job in 2011. As soon as I started the job I started paying bills and when I'm up at school I still pay for my bills, work through school, and feed myself. But I completely agree when Allie said that you get to the point where you feel like you've worked so hard at adulting that you want to give yourself a reward by taking a break. it's so hard not to give yourself a break or a reward because there are a lot of people out there who don't "adult" and can't function on their own. So I know personally, my family gives me a lot of grief for "taking a break". I know that starting me early in taking care of my self was for good purpose but sometimes you just got to take a rest.
ReplyDeleteI like when you said "my family gives me a lot of grief for "taking a break". I often feel like i give myself a lot of crap and feel guilty for taking a break. I feel like I work myself to death, but when I take a break, I feel like I am doing something wrong.
Delete"The first thing I thought of when I started the chapter was college and how "on my own" I tell my parents I am. But to be honest, I call my mom probably once a day for an answer for something." I can relate, this is me as well! I am always telling my parents that I'm an adult and can handle my life on my own. But at the same time, I'm constantly calling my mom for "life answers" to things I still haven't figured out yet. There's no instruction manual for "adulting" and I don't feel like most schools teach us enough about life skills or how to live "on your own". So, trying to figure out adulthood and how to be successful can be very overwhelming and difficult for anyone. And I think we all need a break from time to time.
DeleteI have a tendency to procrastinate, whether it is homework assignments or cleaning the house. "Thinking that I've earned it, I give myself permission to slack off for a while and recover." (pg. 223) I really identified with this quote. I tell myself "oh I'll do it later" and continue to say that until it is a list of things that need to be done with not a lot of time to do them. So then I find myself feeling overwhelmed and want to avoid doing them even more. Then finally I will tackle a bunch of things on the list in a short amount of time. I will tell myself that I deserve a break for completing all those tasks and reward myself with a break, further pushing off the rest of the tasks. And the cycle continues. I think the thoughts and behaviors that are consistent with depression in this chapter are guilt, avoidance because of guilt, and feeling burnt out.
ReplyDelete"I have a tendency to procrastinate, whether it is homework assignments or cleaning the house. "Thinking that I've earned it, I give myself permission to slack off for a while and recover." (pg. 223). " I love this. I do the same thing too. I always think I have earned it, but then I question do we really earn relaxation? Shouldn't this come natural and be a part of our every day as part of taking care of ourselves? Not thinking that we have to earn taking a break.
DeleteI can totally relate to this chapter because its an on going occurrence with me. Procrastination is my enemy. I get in a routine to start meeting goals and once I meet so many goals, I fall right back where I started. Once you slow down and think you earn a break, the break begins to own you and you feel like doing absolutely nothing. Depression is kind of like this. you get in to a funk and don't feel like doing anything, but as you force yourself to do these certain tasks, you begin to feel better or accomplished. once, you settle down, the depression kicks back in and it's harder the second time.
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