Reaching self-acceptance: The experience of individuals with mental illness of the road to recovery

Objective: When dealing with mental illness, the perspective on the problem can be a deciding factor in finding solutions.
Methods: In this phenomenological study, 17 individuals with mental illness were interviewed about their experience of mental illness and the road to recovery.
Results: Traumas were the beginning of their mental illness such as violence, separation, loss, bullying and longterm stress. The consequences of the traumas lead to impaired quality of life including personality changes, loss of self-esteem, loss of dreams, dysfunction, self-injurious behaviour, and suicide attempts. The recovery process was different between participants but reaching self-acceptance was the aim on their journey. The participants emphasized
the outer resources which helped them recover such as: support from peers and positive health professionals, medications, having activities, tasks, and responsibilities; as well
as inner resources such as positive attitude, knowledge about mental illness and self-awareness, dreams, goals, and hope. Each participant’s recovery was a personal journey.
However, most participants spoke about recovery as reaching self-acceptance. This involved just daring to be yourself with all your flaws and strengths, being comfortable in your
own skin, the ability to participate in life, to have some quality of life, taking responsibility for your own life and health, and to have more balance in illness symptoms.
Conclusion: The study findings emphasize the importance of addressing mental health services in line with the aim of the client in an integrative and holistic manner and
that when defining the recovery concept, it is necessary to make meaning of consumer experiences.