News > Think Twice about relapse

Created: 2006-10-10 18:09:43

SANE has launched a new campaign calling for immediate action to prevent relapse in those affected by schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Think Twice is dedicated to encouraging people, and those who care for them, to think again about relapse.

If you, or the person you care for, have experienced a relapse you are not alone. Research, conducted by SANE especially for the Think Twice campaign, found that approximately seven out of 10 people living with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder and bipolar disorder have experienced at least one relapse during the course of their condition.

Relapse can have devastating consequences so Think Twice aims to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of relapse and most importantly provide information about steps that you can take to reduce the chance of relapsing.

As part of the campaign two complementary handbooks, one for service users and their carers, and another for mental health professionals, have been developed to aid communication between you and your mental health team. The Think Twice service user handbook provides a step-by-step guide to understanding, identifying, and where possible, preventing relapse. Drawing on the research findings that many users of this website contributed to, the handbook aims to play a key role in the management of your condition by providing simple and practical advice. As each person's experience of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is different the handbook also provides you with a 'tool' to record key information to help develop personalised steps for dealing with relapse.

To find out more about relapse request a hard copy of either handbook by sending an email to info@thinktwicecampaign.org. A pdf of the patient booklet and information card is available here to download