title: Beyond the clinical model of recovery: recovery of a Chinese immigrant woman with bipolar disorder.
abstract: Recovery from serious mental illness can be conceptualised in a number of ways, some more helpful to clients than others. This paper aimed to show that the clinical model of recovery, based on symptom relief, return to function, and freedom from hospitalisation, is a limited one and that a holistic approach is needed. The author has chosen to narrate her own story. She is a Chinese immigrant from Hong Kong to Canada suffering from bipolar illness, who was hospitalised several times and, eventually, achieved full recovery. The recovery of the author illustrates the limitations of the clinical model of recovery. Her story demonstrates the importance of the principles of empowerment, as achieved through self-management, social support, meaningful occupation, and spiritual fulfilment. The empowerment model of recovery is recommended for the use of mental health professionals, with special attention to individual client factors such as culture and gender.
authors.affiliation: Trainer, Across Boundaries, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: C F Y
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Kwok
mesh_terms: D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012074:Remission Induction; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Bipolar disorder; China / ethnology; Emigrants and Immigrants; Personal narratives