My therapist gave me a couple of work sheets to help me develop a crisis plan. I’m going to share what is on it because it seems really useful. A crisis doesn’t mean you are suicidal (though it does include that), it can also mean times when things are especially hard like holidays or traumaversaries.
1. Introduction: This is your plan. Develop it when you are feeling well. Take time to make good decisions for your plan: work at it for a while, then leave it for several days and keep coming back to it until you have developed a plan you feel has the best chance of working for you. Collaborate with psychiatrist, therapist, family members and other folks on your support team. Once you have completed your crisis plan, give a copy to the people you name in this plan as your supporters.
2. Symptoms: Describe symptoms that indicate to your support team that they need to step in and help. Remember, crises are temporary! Be very clear and specific in describing each symptom. Don’t just summarize; spell it out.
Symptoms that indicate that I need help:
List any prescription medications, vitamins, herbs, alternative medications (such as homeopathic remedies), and supplements you are currently taking:
Current medication Current Dosage
List medications that should be avoided - like those you are allergic to, that conflict with another medication, or cause undesirable side effects. Note which should be increased or decreased if you are in a crisis, and which you have discovered are not good for you:
Medications that have helped in a crisis
Medications that made me worse
List the people who you want to take over for you when the symptoms you listed in the previous section arise. Before listing people in this part of your plan though, talk with them about what you’d like from them and make sure they understand and agree to be in the plan. Who do you want involved? Who do you not want involved?
List physician, psychiatrist, pharmacist, family members, friends, therapist, case manager and other health care providers along with their phone numbers:
Name Relationship Phone #
What do you need from others? What does support look like? Describe what your supporters can do for you that will be helpful and make you feel better. This part of the plan is very important and deserves careful attention. Describe everything you can think of that you want your supporters to do for you. Include the things that you do not want others to do you you - things they might otherwise do because they think it would be helpful, but that might even be harmful or worsen the situation.
Helpful (Things Others Can Do)
Not Helpful (Things Others Should Avoid Doing)
If I require hospitalization, these are the acceptable and unacceptable facilities:
Preferred Treatment Facilities
Treatment Facilities to be Avoided
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