mental illness "relapse" VS substance abuse relapse.

I have seen people on the forums mention relapse in regards to their mental illness and symptoms/treatment and I was looking to understand better.
With substance abuse a relapse is resuming the substance and behavior that goes with it. Generally after a period of sobriety it is more of a choice to go back to the substance. (not saying it isnt fueled by feelings or instability, just that after being sober awhile you become more cognizant of your past behaviors and what led you to have an addiction).

When it comes to the resumption of mental illness
symptoms I struggle with using relapse as the terminology. To me, even if you are medicated the biological factor that plays into an mental illness episode is nothing you can choose. Our brains are different and even successful medication is no guarantee that another episode will occur due to brain changes, chemical imbalances, and the nature of the disorder.
If I go manic or depressive after success or even not good success it is not anything I am aware of until it hits me. I dont look as successful treatment as recovery even though you can recover its really that your symptoms are well managed.
With substance abuse- abstinence keeps the substance out of your body. Being self aware and in some cases a support group or supportive people helps to keep you from using the substance. When you begin trying to talk yourself into an addictive substance you are aware of being sober and clean and that you are thinking of not staying clean.
But with mental illness that is well managed I feel like slipping down the slope can slam you at the very worst or creep up at the least but does not involve an active choice.

Can someone shed light on how relapse is used with regard to describing mental illness and wellness?
I am not trying to say its a wrong word or thought process by any means- just that it confuses me.
XXXOOO
-sweets

I agree and maybe think relapse for Bipolar isn’t doing something like it is for addiction to lose recovery but not doing things like taking your medication as both are choices , I think though that they say relapse to mean their condition got worse from being stable. Not the best term I agree.

I completely agree with both of you on this. Terminology is not always on the mark for everything.

Other than the case that USMCBIPOLAR mentioned, I prefer the word "recurrence" for when mental illness symptoms return. I also often say "breakthrough symptoms" or "breakthrough episodes", especially in the cases where one is being treated and actively working to prevent new episodes.

sarahsweets, I am glad that you did mention the serious issue of how mental instability does make some people more vulnerable to drug and/or alcohol abuse relapse. That was a major issue for me, at times, during the years I spent in alcohol recovery. Luckily, it hasn't been an issue for me for quite a while, though. The reasons why are another topic.

I don’t think it’s about the choice or not...it pretty much means, darn it, it’s happening again. A lot of words expand In meaning over time without regard to every detail or even the main detail of the original word. For example I’m reading a book about passion, originally it meant suffering but it has since evolved to today’s meaning which is almost a 180. Anyways the root here is laps which means to slip or slide and re is just again. So I’m slipping again is the basic meaning of relapse and as such I feel it applies well to both situations.

One definition for relapse is:
a deterioration in someone's state of health after a temporary improvement

The definition does not suggest anything about the cause or whether or not a person's life choices were to blame. So for instance we could say a person has a relapse of a particular cancer after a period of remission. That would not necessarily mean the person is at fault or chose additional symptoms.

I realize perhaps the term relapse carries a stigma, but it shouldn't. It is a valid description in some cases. I am sure there are better terms to use, but it doesn't offend me. My IOP therapist called it relapse and I got used to it I guess. She didn't use the term to specifically label incidences where a person's choices led them to returned symptoms.

Relapse ? I personally don’t use that word , I either say I have a bipolar shift or episode.

Relapse to me is more for drug or alcohol issues

I think it’s like relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis.

I do not use the word relapse in regards to BP either. Or the word recovery for that matter. To me they both refer to addiction issues. And we've got enough stigma as it is. And assumptions out there, like that we "all" have substance problems too (yes, many do, but for those of us who don't it's extremely frustrating to run into this ignorance/prejudice). So, to me, it only muddies the waters and somehow suggests that maybe their linkage is some universal situation. This aside from the fact that the words don't fit the realities of BP. We have recurrance or absence of symptoms. Those words make sense.

But "relapse" or "recovery" in regards to BP? You'll never hear them from me. Not ever.

I'm not just indifferent to their use. I'm actively and very much against them.

Exactly my thoughts also !!!

Interesting conversation above. I usually don't use 'relapse' in association with bipolar stuff, though others clearly do and it does not offend or bother me. I have occasionally used the term. I am in long-term addiction recovery, but I don't think I would be a better or more superior person were I not in addiction recovery. So, the word 'recovery' as a descriptor of a bipolar illness status does not bother me in the least. For me, 'recovery' makes great sense when applied to my bipolar illness because my program is far more than just therapy and meds. It is exercise and reaching out and writing and yoga and on and on. It is a program of recovery. So, I like the term for me.