Wellness recovery action plan Kelli Dickerson

The DICKERSON FAMILY Danny, Kelli, Corbin, Walker and Montgomery

Kelli’s Wellness Toolbox Things that I use to keep me well! My Horses ->

More Wellness Toolbox My sister My friend at work Husband/Danny Things that I do: Supports: Watch my boys play baseball Do something nice for someone else Go fishing Tanning Exercising/playing softball Eat Healthy Tell my story Attend Church Go to the BEACH!! My sister My friend at work Husband/Danny PCP/therapist/ Psychiatrist Facebook support group Medication Maintenance

Me at My Best… Helping my boys be the best they can be, helps me to be the best I can be! Knowing that they are happiest when I am here and full of life, keeps me focused and looking forward to the tomorrows.

Daily Maintenance Things I do every day to keep me well… Get 8 hours of sleep Eat fruits and veggies Spend time with the kids Meet my productivity at work Get my notes written Get the boys to practice Update my calendar/to do lists Take my medications Look at the bills/checkbook

Other Maintenance Things I need to do on a regular basis to stay well… See my primary care doctor to monitor: Hypothyroidism and Bipolar Medications See my therapist See my psychiatrist Be active Evaluate my moods, take notice of my symptoms

TRIGGERS!

Triggers INTENSE ANGER IMMENSE SADNESS Not taking my medication Too much noise from all different directions Suspicions that people are judging me Not getting to complete my daily maintenance Somebody mooching off of my brain rather than thinking for themselves Lack of money/budgeting Not taking my medications Feeling lonely Getting too tired Having to do everything by myself Overreacting when angry Not feeling good enough Failing at something Missing my parents

DEALING with my TRIGGERS * Focus on my CHORES and moving forward * Use Maintenance Skills * Seek tools from my toolbox

When things are breaking down… I can’t control my thoughts of worthlessness I read worthlessness into every comment from others I start to believe everybody would be better off living without “crazy” in their lives I just want to stay in bed and pretend I don’t exist I am short tempered and insulting to others I throw things, smash things, get rid of things that used to be sentimental to try to hurt myself emotionally I stop doing my daily maintenance My head feels heavy and crowded inside of it Grit my teeth

Early WARNING Signs of Crisis Indicates that I may need to seek HELP that I am beyond helping myself Inability to cope with daily tasks Rapid mood swings Increased agitation Displays of abusive behavior Isolation from co-workers, family, friends, & my children Unexplained physical symptoms Psychosis (doing things or saying things that I don’t recall)

What a crisis looks like to me… The intensity of rage and despair blending into the perfect storm…

HELP ME THROUGH MY CRISIS LEAP – Listen, Empathize, Agree, Partner Let Me Rest Don’t make judgmental comments Don’t paint pretty pictures and try to be cheerful Use sarcastic humor/dark humor Avoid overreacting Help me start my chores Forgive me Avoid reasoning with me Maintain rational detachment from my negativity Ask before touching me “Say it if it’s worth saving me” (Nickelback)

Live AGAIn Like I am not dying…