The Pain and the Possibility: The Family Recovery Process

Abstract

The onset of a mental illness is a traumatic experience for all the members of a family. While the mental illness in their family member may be life long, family members can experience their own recovery from the trauma, just as their family member with a mental illness can experience recovery. This article will describe the family recovery process.

Optimism and the Psychological Recovery Process Among Informal Caregivers of Inpatients Suffering From Depressive Disorder: A Descriptive Exploratory Study

“…Lastly, the positive association between the stages of psychological recovery and the level of optimism found in this study is not surprising. Indeed, hope and optimism are omnipresent in the literature on recovery (10,19,23,25,29,33,34,(52)(53)(54)(55)(56). According to Andresen et al's theoretical framework on psychological recovery, hope is one of the essential and fundamental components of this process and grows throughout the process (28,29).…”

“…When a mental illness appears, informal caregivers experience a traumatic event that affects every aspect of their lives. Just like patient, they undergo a recovery process tending towards a life that includes hope and new goals for the future (33,34). The literature indicates that family play a key role in supporting the patient and can both facilitate or impede a patient's recovery process (35,36).…”

“…Unfortunately, the scientific literature contains very little information on informal caregivers' process of psychological recovery. No quantitative studies have been done until then, especially in the context of a psychiatric disorders (33,34). If the association between optimism and recovery is well documented for people suffering from a mental illness, it is not for informal caregivers (29,37,38).…”

Perceived Program Components of <i>Omotenashi Family Experiences Learning Program</i> in Japan: Qualitative Study of Families of Persons with Mental Disorders

“…A family member of a person with mental illness might investigate what is happening with the person who is ill through independent study. However, when answers cannot be found, isolation ensues; this is the stage of discovery and denial in family recovery [16]. Through family-led peer learning, families can gradually accept the presence of mental illness; such acceptance forms the basis of all other learning.…”

The role and experiences of family members during the rehabilitation of mentally ill offenders

“…Hence, families are now increasingly considered as a critical source of support during the rehabilitation process of their mentally ill relative and are regarded as crisis intervention specialists because they handle relapses and emergencies and protect vulnerable family members (Loukissa, 1995;Marsh and Johnson, 1997;Wynaden, 2007). However, supportive families have to overcome cycles of hope and despair and this can create greater levels of personal advocacy and assertiveness (Spaniol, 2010). Despite this, research into the participation of families in support and treatment rarely discusses the family strengths (Spaniol and Zipple, 1988;Marsh and Johnson, 1997;Tsang et al, 2003;Wynaden, 2007;Ewertzon et al, 2010).…”