New
Beginnings Support Group
A Chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
A free support group for people with mood disorders & their loved ones
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A Chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
A free support group for people with mood disorders & their loved ones
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Ideas For Wellness
There are a lot of things you can do in your life to reduce both physical and mental health problems. Here are some of them. At the top is an index where you can click on a topic and it will take you directly there. Below the index are the various topics.
Common Initial Steps Towards WellnessFinding Mental Health Professionals
Frequently
Asked Questions About Deep Meditation Mental
Health Advanced
Directives (MHAD) also known as Psychiatric Advance Directives (PAD)
Common
Initial Steps Towards Wellness
The first thing is that a person has to recognize is that they have a problem requiring investigation. It is necessary to get a correct diagnosis from a professional (self diagnosis is not good). If the diagnosis is questionable then other professional opinions should be obtained until you can believe that the correct problem has been identified. It is crucial that a person gets a good understanding of the meaning and implications of the diagnosis. Knowledge can be very helpful to reduce the stress of a new diagnosis and help you understand what can be done You need to know if this might be a temporary problem or if it is a disorder that will require lifetime monitoring and care. It is important to know if there are dangers associated with not adequately caring for the disorder. It is important to get professional support you can depend upon. Just as you would not go to your family doctor for a prescription of cancer chemotherapy, it is better to see a psychiatrist for treatment of a mood disorder. They are experts in psychotropic drugs and how they interact with each other. There are a variety of treatments. Working as a partner with a psychiatrist is the best way to decide a good course for you. Studies have shown that psychiatric medical treatment when done in conjunction with psycho-therapy is much more effective than either alone. There are a variety of types of therapy and therapists have various degrees. What is important is to get a therapy and therapist that best fits your needs. Some people like to get recommendations from others when finding a therapist. Others prefer to go through the selection process completely on their own. In addition, most psychiatric problems are also improved by lifestyle changes. Exercise, diet, sleeping right, reducing stress, relieving stress, and being around people who foster wellness are some of the things that can help the mind and moods.
Finding
Mental Health Professionals There are various ways to locate psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals in your community. It is an important decision but you do not need to worry about possibly selecting someone who does not meet your needs. You can always look for someone else if you if you aren't satisfied with any aspect of your treatment and you do not feel that you can resolve the issue. Locating a mental health provider that is right for you is a personal process and it can take time. There are a number of things many people look for. The person should be someone with whom you will be able to openly and honestly express yourself. It should not matter who you are or what has happened in your past. They should respect you and your background. You need to know exactly what their boundaries are with confidentiality, safety, and privacy. It is important that they understand what is going on with you and be sensitive to it. They need to be able to help you deal with whatever challenges you may face. They need to respect your rights and needs. They have to help you cope with the various financial situations you may get into. You also have the right to a thorough explanation of your treatment options. Places
To Find Providers Many insurance companies only cover services offered by their selected mental health providers. If you have insurance that may pay for mental health services it is usually a good idea to contact them before choosing providers. If you have Medicare coverage then it can be good to look for mental health professionals that accept it. Other ways to local a mental health professional are:
NJMentalHealthCares
http://www.njmentalhealthcares.org/ American Psychiatric Association http://www.healthyminds.org/locateapsychiatrist.cfm The APA's organizational objectives include the advancement and improvement of care for persons with mental illnesses through nationwide public information, education, and awareness programs and materials. To locate a psychiatrist in your area, please contact our APA Answer Center. Please be sure to provide us with your postal address, including your city, state/province and zip code, as well as the postal address, email and or fax to which we should reply. APA Answer Center American Psychiatric Association 1000 Wilson Boulevard Suite 1825 Arlington, VA 22209 OR Call Toll-Free: 1-888-35-PSYCH From outside the U.S. and Canada call: 1-703-907-7300 Email: apa@psych.org American Psychological Association http://locator.apahelpcenter.org/ A psychologist can help you cope with many of life's problems. To locate a psychologist in your local area using our new and growing online locator service, enter your zip code or a city and state and click "Search". You can also obtain a referral to a psychologist in your area by calling 1-800-964-2000. The operator will use your zip code to locate and connect you with the referral service of the state psychological association. American Medical Association http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html Doctor Finder provides you with basic professional information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States. This includes more than 690,000 doctors. Phone (312) 464-5000 National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists http://www.nacbt.org/searchfortherapists.asp You may search for a mental health professional near you who is certified by the National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists. Simply enter either the state for which you are searching and click on the "Submit" button. National Association of Social Workers http://www.socialworkers.org/register/default.asp The NASW Register provides a listing of clinical social workers that meet verified uniform national professional criteria. It also facilitates improved inter- and intra-professional referrals and consultations to accommodate individualized treatment planning sensitive to diagnosis, preferred treatment modality, cultural issues and geographical locations. Many Web listings of psychotherapists fail to verify the credentials and education of the applicants. However, NASW has verified this criteria for every individual listed in the NASW Register. Anxiety Disorders Association of America http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/FindATherapist.asp The Anxiety Disorders Association of America provides a list of its members who have identified themselves as mental health providers. For ease of use, these providers are listed geographically.
The International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy http://cognitivetherapyassociation.org/refhome.aspx The International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy (IACP) provides the names and contact information for the individuals listed below who offer their services for psychotherapy. The IACP makes no judgment about the licenses or specific qualifications of individuals. We suggest that you ask any potential provider about their credentials, licenses, and experience dealing with the particular problems that you are presenting. Listing on this website does not constitute endorsement by the IACP. Dr. Ivan's Depression Central http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.psychiatrists.html This is a listing of psychiatrists in the U.S.A. specializing in the treatment of individuals with all types of depressive disorders including Bipolar (manic- depressive) Disorder, Cyclothymia, Dysthymia, Major Depression, and other mood disorders. Locate a Doc http://www.locateadoc.com/ Find psychiatrists or psychologists by city or state International Psychiatric Organizations by Country http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/countrys.cfm American Association of Christian Counselors http://aacc.net/resources/find-a-counselor/
NOTE: We could not find any other mental health professional location services for any other faiths. If you have such information, please contact us with as much information about the service as possible.
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It can be very helpful for you and the professionals working with you to have a daily record of how you are doing. There are a number of ways to do this, one of the most popular is a Mood Chart. Simplistic charts are better than nothing, but more comprehensive charting can do you the most good. A very fast way to do comprehensive charting can be found at: MyPsychTracker www.mypsychtracker.com This is a free online, mood and symptom tracker. The methods used tend to be more objective than standard mood charts. They suggest that a therapist or psychiatrist can use this info to see how a patient is doing. (assuming the patient supplies the information). Something that can really help is that they will send out free reminders so people don't forget to chart. It is important to realize that although the person filling out the chart knows what a number means (say for an example a 7 for Sadness)... another person does not. If the info is shared a person should define, in general, what a few of the numbers in each category actually represent.
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Daily exercise can be very helpful in keeping moods level. Working large muscles hard enough to affect your heart rate and breathing is best. Many people enjoy outside activities such as vigorous walking, bicycling, or swimming. Others prefer workouts at home or at a gym. If you are usually fairly inactive, any increase in exercise is good. Small things like parking further away from a store (or at least stop the habit of searching for the nearest park.) Take the stairs instead of an elevator or escalator. When you are walking, pick up the pace. Even if you are watching TV there are ways of increasing your activity in steps. If you usually lie in bed then sit in a chair. If you normally sit then stand (it may seem a little silly but it really does make a difference.). If you typically stand then try walking around or using a treadmill. Some people slowly increase their activity by using an inexpensive pedometer to keep track of the number of steps they take a day. Making a commitment to continually increase your steps each day not only increases your exercise, it shows you when you are slipping back to inactivity. Lots of people have the basic problem of motivation. It is much easier to exercise once than to do it regularly. It can be extremely difficult to exercise when you need it most... such as when you are severely depressed. If you can make exercise part of your daily routine then you are less likely to have to make a decision to exercise and when. If you have something you normally do and can increase the degree of activity that can help. (such as transforming a leisurely activity of walking your dog into a longer more energetic one.) Some people find that having a personal trainer can be good. Remembering that part of the trainer's personal income is lost every time you do miss... might help you get to the sessions regularly. Another way people get an exercise routine is to join a group of people working out. It can be aerobics, jazzercise, yoga, low-impact swim exercise, Tai Chi, self-defense, etc. It doesn't matter what you do so much as whether it interests you enough to keep up the routine to do it.. Supplementing regular exercise with special times can be good. Most sports provide good exercise. Including activities such as hiking interesting areas can be a great way to enliven trips and vacations.
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People usually do best with about 8 hours of sleep. Several days of less than 7 hours or greater than 9 hours is usually unhealthy. Mood swings can cause problems with sleep. When in a depression many people sleep too much. When on the manic side many people sleep too little. It is important to know that the wrong amount of sleep can cause those same mood swings. If you are having problems getting enough sleep you might want to look for these possible causes. * Persistent stress * Relationship problems * Use of stimulants such as caffeine, cocaine, and some diet drugs * Alcohol consumption * Shift work or keeping erratic hours * Inactive lifestyle * Environmental factors like noise and light * Depression, mania, or anxiety disorders Things you can try to get better sleep * Keep a regular schedule with a consistent bedtime * Use your bedroom mainly for sleep * Exercise regularly, but try to finish exercise at least 3 to 4 hours before going to bed * Avoid caffeine for at least 6 hours before going to bed * Avoid large meals close to bedtime * If you nap during the day, try to do so at the same time each day, and limit napping to an hour or less *
Too much
sleep can be cause shallow, unrestful sleep * Do not lie in bed unable to sleep for more than 30 minutes. It is usually good to get up and do a restful activity such as reading, taking a warm bath, listening to music, etc.
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Most people can recognize stressful things in their life. A lot of the time the stress is viewed as unavoidable. After all, who would choose to keep stress in their life? Actually since it is impossible to eliminate stress, everybody makes choices about stress. A very important thing to remember about stress is that is not only damaging to a person's mental health, is also is a primary cause of major physical illnesses. Stress can impair you from having a good life and stress can kill you. Managing stress is an important way to move towards wellness and to remain healthy. This involves not only reducing and avoiding stress, but also actively throwing off the effects of stress on your body and mind. Stress makes life miserable, and it can take its toll on
your health, both emotionally and physically.
The longer stress continues without being dealt with, the more damage it
can do. Depression, anxiety,
irritability, fatigue, high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems,
aches and pains, unhealthy weight gain or loss, and trouble sleeping can all
result from unresolved stress. Eventually,
relationships may become strained or lost, and work or school may become too
difficult to maintain. So, it is
important to cope with stress before you lose the balance in your life. People find all sorts of ways to cope with stress.
Many strategies are healthy and are proven to work.
Unfortunately, some are self-destructive and can compound the effects of
stress. Healthy ways to cope with stress:
Self-destructive ways to cope with stress:
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One of the first ways people think of when trying to reduce stress is to eliminate stressors from their life. For example, they may decide their working conditions to be very unhealthy but feel that they are trapped in it due to finances. There are things that can be done to reduce job stress without quitting your job or taking a job with lesser responsibilities. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury. They have produced a pamphlet about job related stress. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/stresswk.html Here are some excerpts: Stress sets off an alarm in the brain, which responds by preparing the body for defensive action. The nervous system is aroused and hormones are released to sharpen the senses, quicken the pulse, deepen respiration, and tense the muscles. This response (sometimes called the fight or flight response) is important because it helps us defend against threatening situations. The response is preprogrammed biologically. Everyone responds in much the same way, regardless of whether the stressful situation is at work or home. Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk. But when stressful situations go unresolved, the body is kept in a constant state of activation, which increases the rate of wear and tear to biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results, and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can become seriously compromised. As a result, the risk of injury or disease escalates. In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these studies. These early signs of job stress are usually easy to recognize. But the effects of job stress on chronic diseases are more difficult to see because chronic diseases take a long time to develop and can be influenced by many factors other than stress. Nonetheless, evidence is rapidly accumulating to suggest that stress plays an important role in several types of chronic health problems-especially cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders. One-fourth of employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. -Northwestern National Life Problems at work are more strongly associated with health complaints than are any other life stressor-more so than even financial problems or family problems. -St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. The concept of job stress is often confused with challenge, but these concepts are not the same. Challenge energizes us psychologically and physically, and it motivates us to learn new skills and master our jobs. When a challenge is met, we feel relaxed and satisfied. Thus, challenge is an important ingredient for healthy and productive work. The importance of challenge in our work lives is probably what people are referring to when they say "a little bit of stress is good for you. Examples of individual and situational factors that can help to reduce the effects of stressful working conditions include the following: * Balance between work and family or personal life * A support network of friends and coworkers * A relaxed and positive outlook Organizational characteristics associated with both healthy, low-stress work and high levels of productivity. * Recognition of employees for good work performance * Opportunities for career development * An organizational culture that values the individual worker * Management actions that are consistent with organizational values To Prevent Job Stress * Ensure that the workload is in line with workers' capabilities and resources. * Design jobs to provide meaning, stimulation, and opportunities for workers to use their skills. * Clearly define workers' roles and responsibilities. * Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions and actions affecting their jobs. * Improve communications-reduce uncertainty about career development and future employment prospects. * Provide opportunities for social interaction among workers. * Establish work schedules that are compatible with demands and responsibilities outside the job.
One major source of stress outside of work is the people you associate with. If you believe someone is a major source of stress then it might be good to try an set clear boundaries with them. For example, if there always seems to be an argument about politics then setting the boundary that political discussions are off-limits could be good. If a person is a major stress in your life and you cannot find a way to reduce the stress, then you might have to evaluate your relationship. Imagined stress is just as harmful as any other. It is important to talk with your health care providers about this if it is a problem with you. There are various methods to reduce the stress.
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Many
studies have shown that meditation techniques that produce a deep level of
relaxation can be an excellent way of releasing tension and reducing the harmful
effects of stress. Unlike some
techniques, the effective meditation method described here is quite simple to
learn and even easier to practice. Anyone
can do this simple meditation, even when depressed or hypomanic.
It is simply a way of thinking that releases tension in the body and
calms the mind. Basically if you
can think then you can do this effortless yet very effective meditation method.
The only thing required is a comfortable place to sit where you will not
be disturbed for 30 minutes. The
meditation itself requires only about 20 minutes.
The extra 10 minutes is to help insure that you will be left undisturbed
for the entire time you are meditating. This
meditation is simple and very easy to do. You
just sit comfortably with your eyes shut for 20 minutes while patiently thinking
of a meaningless sound slowly and repeatedly.
(such as iiiii...eeee....mmmm as a long slurred sound.)
You never want to speak the sound (even when you are not meditating)
because you want this to simply be a thought in your mind, with no physical
connections. It
is good to keep a clock facing you while meditating.
Whenever you think 20 minutes have passed peek at the clock. If the time has not passed then just calmly close your eyes
and continue to meditate. With
experience your mind will learn when the 20 minutes have passed. It is not good to use an alarm clock because that can really
startle you when you are deep in meditation and this could induce some tension.
It is also best to not allow phones or pagers to disturb you while
meditating. If
your mind wanders as you meditate and you find you are not thinking of the
sound, do not worry. This is very
natural and part of the process of relieving stress.
Just gently bring your awareness back to the sound after realizing that
your thoughts have wandered. Don't
concern yourself as to whether you are meditating correctly.
If you merely sit quietly and think of the sound whenever you remember to
do so... then you are meditating perfectly. When
the 20 minutes are finished do not quickly open your eyes and try to rise.
Often your body and mind have entered a deep state of rest and you need
to take 2 minutes or so to slowly "revive" yourself. Let your thoughts become more active... slowly flex your
fingers and/or toes... and very slowly open your eyes.
When your eyes are open and you are fully aware of your environment, give
yourself a little time to see how you were affected.
Stand up only after you feel inclined to do so. Something to remember if you are concerned about meditating correctly is that this meditation method is effortless. Whatever your mind does during the meditation is exactly what is needed at that time. Sometimes you can be filled with thoughts and it seems that you rarely played the sound in your mind. There is nothing wrong with that. It is possible to go through the entire meditation with strong emotions or anxiety. Even though you may not feel relaxed after such a meditation, stress and tension in your mind and body were still being relieved.
Try not to meditate within 2 hours after eating a meal. The activity of digesting the food does not allow your body to slow down easily during meditation. Try not to meditate within 2 hours of trying to go to sleep for the night.
The meditation reduces fatigue and provides a large amount of rest for the body and mind; therefore it can temporarily make falling asleep more difficult.
Frequently
Asked Questions About Deep Meditation
Question:
How often should I meditate? Answer:
Many people like to do a routine of
meditating when they first get up in the morning and again in the late afternoon
or early evening. Some people feel
they get adequate results with fewer meditations. Question:
Do I need to make sure I breathe in a
special way? Answer:
No. Just
breathe naturally. Do not
concentrate on your breathing. Your
body will decide at what rate and how deep your breaths need to be as you
meditate. Question:
Should I put my body or limbs in a certain
position? Answer:
Just sit upright in a comfortable natural
position that does not require any exertion to maintain.
(i.e. don't hold your hands behind your neck.) It is best not to cross your legs. Question:
What if I do not feel relaxed after
meditating? Answer:
How you feel can depend a lot upon your physical and mental condition before
meditating. Also, painful memories
that need to be exposed can surface during meditation. Question:
Is it ok to meditate in bed? Answer:
No. You
must make sure your mind knows there is a clear difference between sleep and
meditation. Also it is not good to
lounge in a chair while meditating. Question:
Will I be able to pay attention to sounds while I meditate? Answer:
Your hearing is not hindered therefore you
can be disturbed by an imperative sound while meditating.
If it indeed is something that requires a response from you then you can
do that. You should not meditate
though if there will usually be something trying to draw your attention during
it. A needy pet outside your door
or a young child left unattended is not good. Question:
What if I fall asleep while meditating? Answer:
If you fall asleep while sitting up then
your body and mind have a strong need for sleep.
You should probably investigate whether you are getting the right amount
of restful sleep in bed. Question:
Sometimes I have different muscles jerk while I am meditating.
Does this indicate I'm doing something wrong? Answer:
No, actually it is an indication that your meditation is throwing off
deep-rooted tension in your body. Question:
Can I use this type of meditation as a replacement for some of my sleep? Answer:
It can reduce your need for excessive amounts of sleep, but it should never be
used instead of sleep. Question:
Is it ok to meditate for as long as I want
in one sitting? Answer:
No. If
you accidentally meditate longer than 20 minutes at one time that is ok because
it indicates that your body or mind needed it.
Purposefully meditating for too long at one sitting is not good. Question:
While I was meditating it seemed like there
was a period of time when I was not conscious but I know I was not sleeping.
Is this ok? Answer:
Yes. This can happen when you have
reached a very deep state of relaxation. Do
not worry, your mind is still keeping track of the time. Question: What if things like itching or obnoxious sounds distract me while I am meditating? Answer:
Before you meditate it is good to do what
simply can be done to reduce distractions.
(Put a towel under a dripping faucet, use lotion for itchy skin, etc.)
While you are meditating ignore distractions if that is easy or scratch
that itch if it is not. I once had insect bites all over my body and the only relief
I got from the itching was during the time I meditated. Question: Should I always use the same sound while meditating? Answer: Unless there is a good reason (such as forgetting the sound), it is best to always use the same one.
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People Who Foster Wellness It is important to physically be around people who are healthy for you on a very regular basis. Studies have shown that having supportive friends, especially those you can confide in, have a strong positive impact on people's lives. Some people already have such friends and it is a matter of getting out regularly to be around them. Some people find friends in hobby clubs or worshiping with others of their faith. Many people have isolated themselves for so long that they have no idea where to meet people striving for wellness. Fortunately for people with mood disorders (and other problems) there are ready made places to get support and very often develop solid friendships. These places are safe, confidential support groups with people who empower and support each other in a healthy way. People with similar problems can provide understanding and encouragement while sharing personal experiences. Not only are there a great many types of support groups, each support group of a given type is different from all others. Many people attend several groups before deciding on one that feel is best for them. A lot of people are scared of going to a group and feel very uncomfortable when they finally do so. That is why it is often suggested that someone attend a group several times... to get used to it... before deciding whether or not it is right for them. If you do not feel the New Beginnings Support Group is right for you for whatever reason, here are some ways to locate other groups. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of New Jersey www.DBSANewJersey.org The New Jersey state DBSA organization has links to the various DBSA groups in this state. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance www.dbsalliance.org The DBSA parent organization has a far ranging locator guide for groups. NAMI-CARE "National Alliance on Mental Illness -Consumers Advocating Recovery Through Empowerment www.nami.org Support Group for anyone afflicted with any type psychiatric disorder. Follows a national model, based upon shared insights and empathy. Groups are affiliated with local NAMI family groups for education and advocacy. Offers trained peer facilitators. Membership $3/yr (optional). For finding or forming a CARE group in New Jersey contact Jay Yudof, NAMI NJ Consumer Outreach Liaison, 1-866-464-3267. E-mail: jyudof@hotmail.com <CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THIS PAGE>
An important requirement for wellness is gaining the belief that it is possible for you to have a good life. If you have given up, you can easily feel like you are wandering without purpose or the power to change. Maintaining a grasp on hopelessness makes it much more difficult to improve your life. You do not necessarily have to forgive and no one believes you should forget, but there is a big difference between understanding the past and being stuck in it. Focusing on the future can be very helpful. It can strengthen your ability to concentrate your resources on getting healthy. Examine your beliefs and your mental self-talk. A lot of unhappiness in life is due listening to yourself rather than talking to yourself in a healthy way. Everyone talks to themselves in various ways, why not choose some new language that works for you instead of against you? It is also easy to be sabotaged by the people you associate with. The beliefs and opinions of other people do not have to become your reality. You do not have to agree with them. If the people around you do not provide a positive environment it might be necessary to find others that will. Staying healthy usually begins with having something meaningful to do each day. One way is having a job that keeps you active (body and/or mind). For some a low-stress job is best. Others enjoy the challenge of having lots of responsibility. Another way is by doing volunteer work. This work can also be used as a way to determine whether entering the work force could help you. People who work at things they enjoy often report feeling productive, needed and important. Working outside the home can give you a sense of belonging, it is important to remain a part of society. The pride you feel in whatever you do will help your self-confidence and self-esteem. This work comes in many varieties. Some people find satisfaction at jobs that are relatively low-stress, while others enjoy challenging jobs with lots of responsibility. What matters is having a job that gives you a strong sense of satisfaction and fits your varying emotional needs. Not all types of work are restricted to jobs. Fortunately there are several options to keep people stimulated and to take them out of their homes. Volunteer work offers a wealth of opportunities in most any area that you can think of. It can lead up to entering the work force or it can be a valuable end in itself. It is also possible to join support groups, therapy groups, or programs that offer structured days of activities. While these programs are there to help you; another reason to go is so that you can be there to offer your friendship and experiences to help others. Even if you gain something in return, any activity that involves making a contribution can help you find purpose in your life and that provides a good foundation upon which to build a healthy life.
If you want a LOT of ideas that can help change your attitude try...
You Can Choose To Be Happy
http://www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/index.html
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Mental
Health Advanced
Directives (MHAD) also known as Psychiatric
Advance Directives (PAD) Mental Health Advanced Directives (MHAD) are relatively new legal instruments that may be used to document a competent person's specific instructions or preferences regarding future mental health treatment. MHAD can be used to plan for the possibility that you may lose capacity to give or withhold informed consent to treatment during acute episodes of psychiatric illness. The MHAD gives very specific instructions about not only treatment decisions but other things such as ways that you have found through past experience that help you through certain conditions.
A
good place to find out detailed information about MHAD and the specific laws of
each state is at: The National Resource Center on
Psychiatric Advance Directives http://www.nrc-pad.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
It
is important that everyone listed as possible personal representatives have a
copy of the document. If they cannot show that legally they can make decisions
then it does no good. Also, there are always questions about what you want in
various situations. An advance copy allows them to read it over and have those
answered before there is a problem. Another
great thing about a MHAD
is that they are very thorough about all kinds of situations and decisions
concerning mental health care. It can take a while to think over each item and
come to a decision about how it should be handled. Even if you never intend to
complete it and notarize it, it can be an excellent way to clarify your own
thoughts about your mental health care. Ideally Psychiatric Advance Directives aka Mental Health Directives (my preferred term) should be based upon the laws of your state. If you cannot find a specific directive for your state it could be good to use the best generic one you can find. The generic one will not be perfect for your state but it could be much better than not giving any instructions about your care. Also, you are not always in your own state when traveling (it is good to bring a copy with you).
Here is a MS Word doc of one possible Mental Health Advanced Directive form that could be used: www.NBgroup.org/mental_health_advance_dir_form.doc
If you do not have MS Word then you can download free software from Microsoft to view, print and copy MS Word documents from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=95E24C87-8732-48D5-8689-AB826E7B8FDF&displaylang=en
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