compiled by Jim Wallace
1. Listen and care.2. Be patient and don’t predict the outcome.
3. Don’t take credit for my success unless you are willing to take the blame for my failure.
4. Success starts to emerge almost immediately when I accept my illness and begin good health practices and treatment.
5. Don’t compare your life to mine. Or your perspective.
6. Help me to break down denial when it creeps in.
7. My real problems are fear, resentments, anger, coping, and problem-solving. I need to deal with them as part of living.
8. Remind me that I am responsible for my actions, choices, problems, alternatives, outcome, and success or failure.
9. I need all the support I can get –substance abuse groups, health groups and programs, counseling, activities, socialization, church.
10. Remind me that I have a real, legitimate, bonafide illness. My brain has a chemical imbalance that affects my moods and/or thoughts.
11. I must be completely compliant with prescribed medications, and must abstain from all non-prescribed chemicals.
12. I can overcome my illness, and the experience and expertise is invaluable in helping others. I can become an inspiration and role model, and be of much use to my fellow man.