Taking Back Control of Your Life

Many people who experience psychiatric symptoms or have had traumatic things happen to them feel that they have no power or control over their own lives. Control of your life may have been taken over when your symptoms were severe and you were in a very vulnerable position. Family members, friends and health care professionals may have made decisions and taken actions in your behalf because your symptoms were so intrusive you couldn’t make decisions for yourself.
Taking back control of your life by making your own decisions and your own choices is essential to recovery. It will help you to feel better about yourself and may even help you to relieve some of the symptoms that have been troubling to you.
Know your rights and insist that others respect these rights. Your rights include the following:
• I have the right to ask for what I want.• I have the right to say no to requests or demands I can’t meet.• I have the right to change my mind• I have the right to make mistakes and not to have to be perfect.• I have the right to follow my own values and standards• I have the right to express all of my feelings, both positive and negative.• I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe, or it violates my values.• I have the right to determine my own priorities.• I have the right to be healthy.• I have the right to be in a non-abusive environment.• I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.• I have the right to change and grow.• I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.• I have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.• I have the right to be happy.
Source - fpj