Speaking Out for Yourself
A Self-Help Guide
When Others Need to Take Over
Part of being a good
advocate for yourself means making advance plans for what you want and
need others to do for you when you are not able to do things for yourself.
Certainly, you hope that this will never be necessary, that you will always
be able to take care of yourself. However, even with your best intentions
and efforts, this may not be the case. While difficult times may lessen
in frequency or intensity as you learn how to better manage severe symptoms,
they may continue to be an issue from time to time.
When you are feeling well, write a plan that describes what you want others
to do for you when you cannot take care of yourself. This keeps you in
control even when it feels like things are out of control. Laws about
the legality of these documents differ from state to state. Check with
your attorney or the Protection and Advocacy Agency in your State to see
what kind of document is legal in your State. Even if the document is
not legal in your State, it will be a helpful guide for your chosen supporters.
Begin by learning about all treatment options suggested including information
that expresses a variety of viewpoints. Discuss them with your physician
and other health care professionals.
Think about things that have been helpful or not helpful in the past.
Then develop a document that might be called a Document of Treatment
Preference, Mental Health Advanced Directive, or a Crisis Plan.
You can get a copy of a model form. (See Resources).
Discuss your plan with your doctor or health care provider. Include the
following information—
- a list of those symptoms that show others you can no longer care for yourself or make good decisions in your own behalf
- the names of people whom you would want to take over for you, like family members, friends, and health care providers (designate whom you would want to make final
decisions if your supporters can't agree)
- medications you are currently taking, those that might be used in a crisis, and those that must be avoided
- treatments and treatment facilities that would be helpful and those that should be
avoided
- a plan for being cared for in your home or in the community
- things that others can do that would help you to feel better and things that might make you feel worse
- chores or tasks you need others to take over for you like, child and pet care and paying bills
- a listing of indications that you are well enough to take care of yourself and that your supporters no longer need to follow this plan.
Sign and date the plan. Give each of your supporters, your health care providers and your doctor a new copy of the plan each time you change it.
Give copies of this plan to anyone who might be assisting you now. Update
your plan as necessary.
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