Psychosocial identity theory is based on how an individual’s identity is shaped by their own development and experiences combined with their social surroundings. Phoenix refers to E. Erikson (Phoenix, 2002), who wrote about eight stages of development whereby an individual’s identity is built over their lifetime. He suggests that most of the time we are unaware of this and is only when something in our life goes wrong or changes that we become more aware of whom we are and therefore what our identity is. This seems to be why Erikson focuses mainly on adolescence, as this is when people tend to explore different possible paths that lead to certain friendships and life choices, he describes this stage as ‘psychosocial moratorium’ that will eventually lead us to shape who we are as adults. Erikson refers to this achievement as ego identity (Phoenix, 2002), where an individual feels comfortable with whom they are. As with anything or anyone in a stage of development, it is not always a smooth transition from one stage to another and the individual can sometimes be delayed or stuck on one stage; in reference to identity Erikson describes this as an identity crisis. Phoenix also refers to Marcia (Phoenix, 2002) who looked at Erikson’s development stages, particularly adolescence and suggested that people often go through different phases of their…
Often times, we go through life feeling confused, lost, and sad. Living life through various facades grows weary over time. Eventually, we are led to the inevitable search to strive for the discovery of who we really are. Self-identity is an important focal point in our individual triumphs and tribulations we experience in our journey of life. During times of conflict, we frequently struggle with only ourselves.…
Chapter 5 of the Surgeon General report discusses the topic of recovery. Recovery has a variety of meanings which depend on a handful of components. Based on the person, their circumstances, beliefs, and values will determine how recovery is defined. To had better understand recovery, it is separated into categories of individual experiences and recovery beliefs and values. When it comes to experience, the road to recovery is different from person to person. There are communities that believe the help and support of friend and family is necessary to reach recovery. In some cultures, religion and spirituality are key parts in achieving recovery. Individuals who identify their abuse as mild or moderate often define recovery for themselves when…
The concept of recovery in mental health has been defined in a number of ways and intrinsically, is a contested concept. Anthony (1993) labels recovery as a process which is personal and unique. He describes it as a way of living a satisfying, hopeful life that is free from limitations caused by illness. This does not necessarily mean a life completely free from clinical symptoms and medications, but can also be a restoration of one’s self and a further development of purpose in one’s life. Taking control and responsibility for one’s life and empowerment are also…
Recovery, in this day and age, appears in the news almost every week, and thus society continually sees stories about survivors of tragic accidents—humanity celebrates the ability to cling to life—and the ever popular tales of celebrities struggling with devastating addictions, which the public praises even minimal improvements. Recovery, without the ill; the injured; and the celebrities, appears to the majority of society as an event only degenerates must experience. Many people assume that only ex-miscreants have the pleasure of claiming they are recovering or recovered. Furthermore, it seems to be human nature to imagine what recovered individuals were before entering recovery: equating the recovered drug addicts to the junkies with needles in their…
Clients struggling in striving for identity are challenged by the therapist to listen to themselves. Also, the therapist challenges the client to discover how they lost touch with themselves to the point that they let others govern their life for them. Through the challenges and discoveries, the client realizes that they have given their freedom to others and that the therapy process is how they will regain their freedom again (Corey, 2005).…
For about as long as I could remember, my wish has always been to fit in, and be well-liked by everyone. I began acting a certain way that wasn’t me, and even began to lose my identity. I followed all trends and began to lose more and more of my identity as time chipped away. This all stopped as soon as high school began. High school was such a disquieting transition along with all of the new changes I’d be facing. New classmates, teachers, subjects, and responsibilities. I was now required to think twice before every move and concentrate on everything more adequately. All these changes made me begin to realize that I should learn more about my identity and do what makes me tranquil and content as a person.…
In this paper, I will investigate the "Problem of Personal Identity". The particular scenario I will respond to is: "Suppose that sometime in the future a crazy scientist creates a perfect clone of you. The clone has a qualitatively identical body to yours and has the same memories as you as well as same voice, character, and so on. How would yo convince a court of law that the clone is not really you? What theory of personal identity would help you to make your case" (Rauhut, 2011, p. 125)? First I will clarify key terms, and then I will apply those terms in my analysis of the question. Then I will close out by reflecting on my conclusion and some insights I gained about the Problem of Personal Identity.…
One of the most uncertain things that all humans face is their real identity. This difficulty has caused a lot of confusion on who we really are and how we become our own person. There are many different theories to how people can identify themselves, but one of the leading notions is the Identity Theory. This theory claims that people become who they are based on experiences and life lessons. They believe that one’s own experiences will cause them to shape how they will identify themselves. Following that theory, it is reasonable to assume that all experiences whether positive or negative will have a direct impact on your identity. However, some psychologists believe that negative memories or experiences will cause a much significant change…
Through public opinion, prejudices and stereotypes, one’s identity is subject to change. If one is constantly criticized and put down for their physical appearance or their actions, they will try to modify themselves to fit the norm, and to match the majority. In the three pieces, “Barbie Doll,” Siddhartha, and “Black Men and Public Space,” they demonstrate that through society’s expectations and stereotypes, one’s identity will be challenged and thus inhibited. Only when one’s own determination and perseverance pulls through, will they discover their true “Self.”…
In the poem “Without a Title” by Diane Glancy, the poet portrays the theme of Identity because of the American Indian Boarding schools. The author uses the theme of Identity to convey an underlying message that when you lose your identity, you lose yourself. When the author states “ When he brought home his horns and hides, my mother said get rid of them...I remember the silence of his lost power” this evidence portrays the character (the father) is losing his identity because no one is caring enough to help him remember who he once was since the boarding made him forget. Diane Glancy states “No one marked his first kill ,no one sang the buffalo song” This evidence reveals that they lost their power because no one recognised…
Barker,P . (2001) The Tidal Model: developing an empowering, person-centered approach to recovery within psychiatric and mental health nursing Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing vol.8, pp. 233-240 .…
Slade mentioned two types of recovery which are the personal recovery and the clinical recovery. Even though both aims at recovery, the distinction between the two are that the personal recovery aims at what the personal understanding of what recovery is which is hope, identity, meaning and personal responsibilities as against the clinical recovery which aims at the “invariant importance of symptomology, social functioning, relapse prevention…
We will now attempt to define and explain the concept of recovery briefly. "Recovery is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful and contributing life even with limitations caused by illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one's life as one goes beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness” ( Barker, 2009, p.682).…
recovery approach represents shift from medical focus on cure to individual capacity, regardless of diagnosis and symptoms…
