PRC Is…
PRC is NOT
Not about doing something once
PRC IS
Continuing to do things even when not 100%
Key Concepts
- New Mindset
- Asking the question: What can I do to manage this?
- Especially useful for new symptoms
Difficult Day vs Lapse vs Relapse
- Difficult Day - High symptoms/stress but still using PRC concepts
- Lapse - brief return to old habits in a moment of symptoms/stress, return to habits in one behavior
- Relapse - prolonged return to old habits in many behaviors, decreased functioning, may need more intense intervention
Relapse
Relapse is a process, not an event!
Potential triggers for lapse/relapse
Adolescent triggers and cues?
- Friend drama
- Family stressors
- Reminder of something stressful
- Acute Illness - New symptoms
- Trips / Vacations
- Summer - Less structure
- Friends / Sleepovers
- Rooms where pain was comforted (Bedroom, couch, etc.) ## Parent triggers and cues?
- Flare / Increased or New Symptoms
- Siblings
- New Injury/Illness
- New activities / sports
- Busy
- Not busy enough
CBT Triangle
Can be used to help prevent relapse
Example - bad
- Notice a lapse: “I screwed up. I’ll never be able to do this”
- Guilt, anxiety, tension leading to more symptoms
- Withdrawal, isolation
Example - good
- Notice a lapse: “what can I learn from this?”
- Calm Confidence
- Choose & complete a PRC skill
Key Concept
- When people relapse, they often feel guilty about what they did, didn’t do, could have done, should have done
- Instead, focus on “What can I do now?”
Feedback from Relapse-Free Grads
- Daily structure - Even on weekends
- Keep up with your daily relaxation techniques
- Do your daily aerobics, exercise
- Keep in touch with other PRC Patients
- See your counselor weekly
- Practice good sleep hygiene
Common reasons for setbacks from PRC Grads
- Overloading school schedule
- New symptoms lead to further medical workup
- Not working with a counselor
- Believing I will not get better
Word to the Wise
Feeling better can be a relapse warning sign… over-confidence
PRC Relapse Prevention Model
- Wellness is a marathon, not a sprint
- I am human
- Any relapse is a learning opportunity
- What can I do now?