Recovery timeline

[voidwarden]

Recovery can look pretty bleak at the beginning, unrealistic, even unattainable. I've been here before, more times than I'd like.

I sometimes deal with spells of high anxiety, which can turn into weeks of poor sleep and appetite, and constant restlessness. It's easily the most awful part.

After the panic burns out, it turns into a quieter depression where I will withdraw. I isolate myself and feel untethered from reality. Even when the anxiety eases, the intrusive thoughts can take months or years to fade, and for life to feel more normal again.

Lately, I've tried to make changes to recalibrate. Ive improved my diet, stopped self-medicating, and tried to get professional help, even if that hasn't really gone anywhere yet.

I'm posting this because maybe speaking about it will feel better than keeping it to myself. Maybe someone else can relate, or at least will know they aren't the only one.

 

[INYGTRMTFMO]

Congratulations on making those steps towards getting help!

I've been in cycles of recovery and re-crash for decades. I suspect that's just an inherent part of chronic depression for some of us. Still, I hope your treatment can break that cycle.

 

[timf]

If your high low periods are bipolar (1 or 2) you might find some benefit from Omega 3 supplements like found in fish oil. There was a Steven Fry documentary and it included a physician who was able to return to work because she supplemented with Omega 3. I think the video is still available on Youtube.

 

[Unlucky777]

Congratulations on the path to recovery! It's a very painful path with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns and lots of other shit but yeah it takes time