Stage 5: Growth
Growth is the outcome of the recovery process, recognising the potentially positive and enriching aspects of caring for someone despite the challenges it presents for you.
It is about living a full and meaningful life, characterised by resilience and a positive sense of yourself and the person you care for.
You might start to think that there are ways, no matter how small, in which being a carer has made you a better person.
Growth may involve the following:
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Wellbeing.
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Optimism about the future.
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Resilience.
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Beginning to be who you want to be.
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A different, but improved self as a carer.
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A greater sense of control of your life.
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Finding meaning in the illness.
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Finding meaning in your life.
To print all of the questions from each stage, please click here.
- How have my relative's difficulties helped me change for the better? What have I achieved since his / her difficulties began?
- When I am feeling down about myself what can I think about that will help me feel better? What have I done that I am proud of? What am I good at? What are my best qualities? What do other people like about me?
- Many people have the wrong idea about people with mental health problems. What can I do to begin to change that? To remind them that everybody's different, that everybody has good qualities, that everyone has value and potential?
- How can I help to improve the care that my relative receives from the mental health services? What can I ask from them that would help me to feel stronger and more hopeful that it might somehow all have been worthwhile?