Main categories of self management strategies

One of the most common reasons individuals do not seek mental health treatment is a preference to manage emotional concerns on their own. Self-management refers to the strategies that individuals use on their own (i.e., without professional guidance) to manage symptoms. Little research has examined self-management for anxiety despite its potential utility as the first step in a stepped care approach to primary care. The objectives of this study were to describe patients' anxiety self-management strategies, identify which types were perceived to be effective, and explore potential correlates.

Self-management is a procedure in which people are taught to discriminate their own target behavior and record the occurrence or absence of that target behavior (Koegel, Koegel, & Parks, 1995). Self- management is a useful technique to assist individuals with disabilities,including autism spectrum disorders, to achieve greater levels of independence in vocational,social, academic and recreational activities. By learning self-management techniques individuals can become more self- directed and less dependent on continuous supervision.Instead of teaching situation specific behaviors, self-management teaches a general skill that can be used in an unlimited number of environments. Self-management techniques have also been useful in reducing or eliminating such behaviors as stereotypic responding. The procedure has broad applications for individuals with and without disabilities and can be adapted in some manner to benefit a variety of learners.

Mood and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental disorders. People with such disorders implement self-management strategies to reduce or prevent their symptoms and to optimize their health and well-being. Even though self-management strategies are known to be essential to recovery, few researchers have examined them.The aim of this study is to explore strategies used by people recovering from depressive, anxiety, and bipolar disorders by asking of them to describe their own strategies. Strategies were classified according to dimensions of recovery: social, existential, functional, physical, and clinical. Within these themes, distinct strategies were found to be used synergistically to promote personal recovery as well as symptom reduction. Findings highlight the diversity of strategies used by people, whether they have depressive, anxiety, or bipolar disorders. This study underscores the importance of supporting self-management in a way that respects individual experience.

Self-management strategies were measured using a modified version of a scale derived from self-management theory, and previously developed for use with college students. The scale included eight items that represented cognitive and behavioral strategies. There were four items for cognitive strategies and four for behavioral strategies. Examples of cognitive and behavioral items were, respectively, “I say positive things to myself about physical activity,” and “I do things to make physical activity more enjoyable.” The items were rated on a five point
scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often).