Fact Sheet: The Seven Phases of the Recovery Process

Fact Sheet: The Seven Phases of the Recovery Process

-- From Mary Ellen Copeland’s "The Recovery Workbook"

1. Shock: The onset of mental illness, whether gradual or sudden, is often confusing. The implications are devastating and almost too much to grasp.

2. Denial: Initially, there is an attempt to ignore the reality of having experienced psychiatric symptoms.

3. Depression/Despair/Grieving: Depression can be a direct symptom of the illness, or reactive. Feelings of despair and hopelessness can continue for a long time time, but they will eventually run their course.

4. Anger: Once the grieving has run its course, anger at the illness, at the helping system with its failures, at society with its unkind attitudes, and even at friends and family will follow.

5. Acceptance/Hope/Helpfulness: By taking small steps to re-build confidence, a new and stronger self-identity gradually emerges.

6. Coping: The skills needed to live with (or without) mental illness appear only after learning acceptance.

7. Advocacy/Empowerment: Once a person has learned to cope with his or her psychiatric symptoms, empowerment follows. The individual becomes an advocate for himself and for others.