Labelization

Carol is a Contributing Writer to Mental Health World. We are ourselves. We are miracles of human existence even if life is horribly difficult, even if we are struggling, even if someone has labeled us with a stigmatizing diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, chronic depression or even cancer. As far as I can tell, a diagnostic label is assigned primarily so doctors can alleviate specific symptoms with medication, treatments, and rehabilitative activities. This is symptom management with the intent of relief, stabilization, and ultimately even recovery. The Wellness Recovery Action Plan developed by Mary Ellen Copeland skips the part about the labels. It is specifically geared toward symptom management. Originally devised for people struggling with mental health issues, it is also effective for people with any kind of health condition. We all have health conditions at one time or another. Some of us just have lifetime health challenges. My label is bipolar disorder. I am not bipolar disorder. I am a person who copes with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Learning ways to stay in balance and even achieve a sense of well-being have made me an expert in the field of stress management. I am even paid to give stress busting presentations to the community at large! Anyone who tries to cope in a positive way with a mental health diagnosis is a mental health expert. I was diagnosed in 1980, and I have been gathering information about how to manage the sometimes devastating rollercoaster effects of bipolar disorder ever since. I facilitate support groups, write in a journal, coordinate writing and creativity groups, do free lance writing, and lead a laughing club. I have a long time and beloved counselor, an excellent psychiatrist, supportive family and friends. I have learned to try to make mostly good choices during difficult times. I have even come to realize that I am not defective. I just have a different set of challenges from some people. I discovered the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) in 2002. I was introduced to it by Walter Hudson at a Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance conference in Orlando, Florida. I took a two-day workshop from Walter later that year. Fifteen minutes into the workshop, I knew that not only would this be extremely beneficial for me, I wanted to teach workshops too and spread the word about this accessible, friendly, common sense, and practical system. When I find something that helps me improve the quality of my life, I want to get the word out. One of the first things I did in the WRAP workshop was to make a list of “How I Feel When I’m Feeling Well.” My list included things like happy, confident in relationships, optimistic, friendly, confident, creative, laughing, not apprehensive, relaxed, hopeful, and easy to be around. I almost cried when I reread my list because I realized that it reflected who I really am and all the difficulties in my life were actually just complications. Happily my friend Walter invited me to join him in making presentations. I served an apprenticeship with him to be trained as a WRAP facilitator and eventually attended training with Mary Ellen Copeland in Vermont to become a Certified Mental Health Recovery Educator. Walter and I have traveled all over Ohio and into Pennsylvania doing WRAP overviews and workshops. We educate providers, people with mental and physical health challenges, and families. Walter is certified by Mary Ellen Copeland to be a “trainer of trainers” and I assist him in training facilitators. WRAP is a system of personal resource development. It is flexible and can be changed at any time. It includes identifying a system of supporters who can be of assistance during times of crisis and beyond. Some of the sections covered are developing a wellness toolbox; identifying triggers, early warning signs, when things are breaking down, crisis symptoms, and a post crisis plan. Positive action plans accompany each category. For every negative incident that happens in your life, a personal WRAP helps you make a positive response. Since I have developed WRAP and welcomed this effective system as a way of life, I feel more secure and relaxed. Having a system of supporters makes me feel less apprehensive about any symptom flare-ups that might occur into the future. It is my belief that it is highly unlikely that my life will ever spin wildly out of control again, but just in case -- I have a logical, friendly and workable plan in place that I devised myself. I certainly cannot make any promises for amazing results to people considering developing this plan for themselves. I can only honestly say that from the day I wrote out my WRAP, the rollercoaster symptoms of bipolar disorder have disappeared. I know that sounds too good to be true, but since I developed my WRAP, a new world of positive possibilities has opened up to me. For more information: mentalhealthrecovery.com or contact Carol Bailey Floyd at

CAROLF24@aol.com