DBT and Game Plans

Another helpful Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill is planning.  If there is a stressful event, it might help to come up with a “game plan.”  My therapist told me about this.  Basically, you come up with a “pre-game” plan, or plan what you do before the stressful event.  Then, a “game” plan for the time when you are actually in the stressful event.  Finally, you can have a “post-game” plan.  This can include ways to “decompress.”

DBT is a very effective therapy for many different mental disorders.  I use the three game plans for when I need to go to work.  I do some things before my shift, during my shift and after my shift.  The game plans help regulate my emotions.

Mark Hanley

www.markthepoet.com

www.busk.co/mark

www.buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Radical Acceptance

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a very powerful tool for people who live with mental illness.  Actually, as my therapist has told me, we can all benefit from the skills of DBT.

Earlier, I talked about Opposite Action.  Another one of my favorite DBT skills is called, “Radical Acceptance.”  This is kind of like the Serenity Prayer.  There are certain things in my life that I can’t change.  If I accept the reality of a situation, I won’t suffer as much.

In my opinion, Radical Acceptance is very Christian.  When you radically accept a situation, you can “hand it over” to God.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

If you would like more information about my writing projects, you can email me:  uihawkeyes777@gmail.com.  Or you can visit my site:  www.markthepoet.com.

Mark Hanley

www.markthepoet.com

www.busk.co/mark

www.buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Writing

Another coping skill I use is writing.  I really enjoy journaling, blogging, writing poetry and writing a monthly newsletter.

I participated in a program through the University of Iowa called, “The Patient Voice Project.”  This program paired someone with a chronic illness and a student at the Writers’ Workshop.  

I met some very fine people through this program.  I also learned a lot about poetry.

If you would like more information about my writing projects, you can email me:  uihawkeyes777@gmail.com.  Or you can visit my site:  www.markthepoet.com.

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Delusions

Delusions are defined as fixed, false beliefs.  Some people have delusions that they are saints or the Messiah.  Some have delusions that people are conspiring against them.  Some have delusions that their thoughts are broadcast.

I personally find that delusions are one of the hardest parts of schizophrenia.

Delusions can be so pervasive that talking rationally with the afflicted has little or no effect.  While therapy has been really helpful for me, sometimes even using my “skills” has little or no effect on my delusional thinking.

As I come out of another delusional episode, I know that God is in control.  Nothing can happen without Him ordaining it to happen.  I am safe in God’s arms.

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Music

I was very blessed to be able to study the violin and viola growing up.  It was a huge part of my childhood.  Not only did I learn to play, but I learned to love music.

Throughout my illness, listening to and creating music have been huge coping strategies.  My mental health peers have also talked about how music helps them cope.

Are you listening to music right now?

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Opposite Action

Yesterday, I went to the barber.  Usually, I don’t like going to the barber because I am too nervous that he or she will ask something I don’t know how to respond to.  

I think it is important, however, that we step out of “our comfort zone.”  In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) it’s called Opposite Action.  Opposite Action has someone do the opposite of the action urge.  If you feel uncomfortable in public, your action urge might be to isolate.  The more helpful choice is to go out in public.

Healing from mental illness takes time, patience and a lot of prayer!  And, after I went to the barber yesterday, I felt great!

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com busk.co/mark buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

Basket of Troubles

I often think about how life might be if I had never gotten sick.  While this is not helpful at all, it is an understandable reaction to pain and suffering.

I am reminded of my great-aunt Margaret, who said that we all have “a basket of troubles.  And, if we put them down on the floor, we would pick up our own.  Because those are the ones we know.”

If I didn’t have this, I would have something else.

It doesn’t mean that we can't hope, pray and act to relieve suffering.  However, God asks all of us to pick up our “cross” and follow Him.

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

One Thing Not to Say

Most people are well-meaning, but unless they have been taught otherwise, they might not know how to interact with other people.

People with schizophrenia can be really hard to read.  Something that a well person might think is okay, might not be.

One thing I advise against saying is, "I know."  Your intentions are probably good, but no one knows what something (like schizophrenia) is like unless they have had it.

Instead, try to listen.  A little listening goes a long way.

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.

New Blog

This blog was created to help people better understand the challenges faced by someone who is a mental health peer, especially someone with schizophrenia.

I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2005, while I was a college student.  It has been a long journey, but God provides and God is good.

I hope this blog is informative, engaging and inspirational!

Thanks and God bless,

Mark Hanley

markthepoet.com

busk.co/mark

buymeacoffee.com/markthepoetiowa

This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This blog does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment. We cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read on this blog, website or in any linked materials. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or call for emergency medical help on the nearest telephone immediately.