What resources are available to support self-management?
Personality disorder integrated care pathway
The approach clinicians adopt strongly influences (positively or negatively) patients' ability to self-manage their health. The Appendix (make links) includes useful tools, skills and resources to help patients improve confidence, knowledge and specific skills within different areas of self-management support. Many resources and services will relate to more than one of these key areas:
• Information should be trustworthy, accurate, relevant, culturally appropriate and clear to understand. Useful resources can be found in the Appendix to this section.
• Skills enhancement. Many specific psychosocial interventions promote self-management through goal-setting, problem-solving and emotion regulation including DBT, STEPPS, and the CAS Day Service for people with Personality Disorder. Skills training can also be delivered on an individual basis, using materials according to the patient’s individual skills deficits rather than as part of a standardised treatment package. In addition, there are other ways of delivering skills training, for example self-help materials which patients can work through alone or with support. Self-help books, websites and apps are all widely available. Some examples can be found in the Appendix.
• Self-monitoring. This is an essential part of self-reflection and gaining self-knowledge. This can be assisted by recording thoughts, emotions and behaviours by diaries or other written records. Alternatively, self- monitoring apps are becoming increasingly available. Examples can be found in the Appendix.
• Healthy lifestyle choices. The general health benefits of healthy lifestyle choices are
clear but the impact such choices can have on mental health should not be should not underestimated. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, observing recommended limits on alcohol, treating physical illnesses, engaging in a meaningful structured daily routine and balancing work with rest and leisure activities can all have significant benefits on mental health. Information about local resources can be found in the Appendix.
• Support networks. Appropriate support from health services and other agencies should be provided when required. Too much support can be as harmful as too little in helping a person to self-manage. Social support is also important, people should be encouraged to build and strengthen their own support networks among neighbours, friends, family and interest groups. Sometimes support groups and helplines can be helpful. Examples can be found in the Appendix.
• Skills enhancement. Many specific psychosocial interventions promote self-management through goal-setting, problem-solving and emotion regulation including DBT, STEPPS, and the CAS Day Service for people with Personality Disorder. Skills training can also be delivered on an individual basis, using materials according to the patient’s individual skills deficits rather than as part of a standardised treatment package. In addition, there are other ways of delivering skills training, for example self-help materials which patients can work through alone or with support. Self-help books, websites and apps are all widely available. Some examples can be found in the Appendix.
• Self-monitoring. This is an essential part of self-reflection and gaining self-knowledge. This can be assisted by recording thoughts, emotions and behaviours by diaries or other written records. Alternatively, self- monitoring apps are becoming increasingly available. Examples can be found in the Appendix.
• Healthy lifestyle choices. The general health benefits of healthy lifestyle choices are
clear but the impact such choices can have on mental health should not be should not underestimated. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, observing recommended limits on alcohol, treating physical illnesses, engaging in a meaningful structured daily routine and balancing work with rest and leisure activities can all have significant benefits on mental health. Information about local resources can be found in the Appendix.
• Support networks. Appropriate support from health services and other agencies should be provided when required. Too much support can be as harmful as too little in helping a person to self-manage. Social support is also important, people should be encouraged to build and strengthen their own support networks among neighbours, friends, family and interest groups. Sometimes support groups and helplines can be helpful. Examples can be found in the Appendix.