Recovery is a journey. It is individual to every person, and defined as what is experienced by the individual when they are able to live well, with or without their mental illness and its effect on their life (Mental Health Commission, 2001). Recovery begins when a person develops a mental illness, and can be hindered easily in the early stages (Stanton & Tooth, 2010). This case study will discuss barriers to Kylie’s recovery, including lacking formal diagnosis, stigma and discrimination, lack of support, and poor coping mechanisms. Ethical, legal, and family aspects will also be discussed. As a mental health nurse, the “Real Skills” Framework (Ministry of Health, 2008) and recovery competencies for mental health workers (Mental Health Commission,
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Lack of social support is a potential barrier to recovery, especially for young adults such as Kylie due to their psychosocial stage. Young adulthood, termed by Erikson in his theory of lifespan development (Cherry, 2005) as the stage of “intimacy versus isolation”, is a time where an individual is trying to form a sense of self-identity, and meaningful relationships with others. Clifton, Pilkonis and McCarty’s (2007) study found that people diagnosed with BPD are more likely to have a higher amount of former partners and ended friendships than other mental disorders, showing an affinity for negative relations with others and a deficit in ability to form positive ones. In Kylie’s case, it is apparent this has been a significant issue for her in the past and particularly on admission to the ward, as she is refusing to allow her mother to be contacted by the treatment team. Pathophysiological factors of Kylie’s potential diagnosis reaffirm this barrier, as people with BPD are well known for the personality of trait of thinking the problem is with the other people, not within themselves (Campbell & Farrell, 2001) which is very taxing on people close to them. Social support can provide relief from life’s stressors, increase compliance with medication, and improve self-esteem and recovery (McCorkle, Rogers, Dunn, Lyass & Mui Wan, 2008). For a young adult with possible BPD, Kylie may feel unable to form a sense of identity, and fear abandonment (High-yield facts in personality disorders, n.d.). This can leave a person feeling isolated, and more likely to fear being close to others (Cherry, 2005). Sufferers of personality disorders are often out of step with other people due to their intensity and behaviour, and their personal and social lives can be greatly impacted. This has been seen already with
Lack of social support is a potential barrier to recovery, especially for young adults such as Kylie due to their psychosocial stage. Young adulthood, termed by Erikson in his theory of lifespan development (Cherry, 2005) as the stage of “intimacy versus isolation”, is a time where an individual is trying to form a sense of self-identity, and meaningful relationships with others. Clifton, Pilkonis and McCarty’s (2007) study found that people diagnosed with BPD are more likely to have a higher amount of former partners and ended friendships than other mental disorders, showing an affinity for negative relations with others and a deficit in ability to form positive ones. In Kylie’s case, it is apparent this has been a significant issue for her in the past and particularly on admission to the ward, as she is refusing to allow her mother to be contacted by the treatment team. Pathophysiological factors of Kylie’s potential diagnosis reaffirm this barrier, as people with BPD are well known for the personality of trait of thinking the problem is with the other people, not within themselves (Campbell & Farrell, 2001) which is very taxing on people close to them. Social support can provide relief from life’s stressors, increase compliance with medication, and improve self-esteem and recovery (McCorkle, Rogers, Dunn, Lyass & Mui Wan, 2008). For a young adult with possible BPD, Kylie may feel unable to form a sense of identity, and fear abandonment (High-yield facts in personality disorders, n.d.). This can leave a person feeling isolated, and more likely to fear being close to others (Cherry, 2005). Sufferers of personality disorders are often out of step with other people due to their intensity and behaviour, and their personal and social lives can be greatly impacted. This has been seen already with