Is recovery possible?

[lucretiareverie]

I think that discussions of mental health have been abundantly watered down by simply telling someone they will get better. For me, suicidal thoughts did not happen due to a sudden event. I have been thinking this way since elementary school. I have attempted medication and therapy but it hasn't worked. It's almost comedic, my first therapist switched me because he wasn't able to help me, then my new therapist retired after the first session. I recently had a fallout with my friend where she basically said we were in different places and for me to work on myself. In truth, I don't blame her, but I don't think working on myself is that simple. I have tried for all of my life to work towards being genuinely happy and it hasn't happened.

I'm sorry to dump this– my main question is if any of you have recovered, if so, to what length and how?

 

[derpyderpins]

Yes.

I am working on a big recovery journal that has my full life story (probably want to cut down on that part) and things I've learned dealing with suicidal thoughts and mental health issues for the past 20 years.

A lot of it is taken from threads I've posted here.

My recovery is not full in any way, but I've gotten to a point where my highs make it worth it and my lows are not as terrible. I can't say I am "happy," but I want my life to continue, even if a voice in the back of my head points out the cons outweigh the pros most of the time. I have love, and a life that is mine, that I made. I'm no longer bound by other's whims. Yes, I'm small in the grand scheme of things, and reliant on work that feels like grueling torment in my brain, but I am a person all my own and living for someone wonderful.

Basic logical outline for why I can tell you recovery is possible even if I haven't fully recovered.

1. I learned to admit that if you're wanting to kill yourself something is wrong. It is not the natural human way to be. This doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, inherently, but something about situation, upbringing, outlook, health, circumstances, influences, etc. and in combination has caused you to get to this point. You probably won't be able to answer exactly what it is, but it is something.
2. Things can get better. This can be as small as going from a -99/100 mood to a -98/100 mood. Just evidence that some type of improvement is possible. None of the typical exercise, outdoors, diet, therapy, cognitive practices, 'go do charity' type of advice did nearly enough for me, but in sum after years of trying I realized I wasn't quite as bad.
3. There will be setbacks on the path to recovery, and you can get through them. Again, it only takes one. If you work up from a -99 to -92, then slip back to -105, and just one time in the future claw back to -92, you've proven you can overcome a setback.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[platypus77]

The main issue with mental health is that when we're depressed the chemicals in our brain change, and our perception of the world/problems changes with it leading to that feeling that makes us feel like the world is end.

Of course, everyone experience pain differently.
What can affect me, maybe is a minor thing to you and you'll even bother with it.
Depends on the situation and how much you still have in you to fight it.
I recovered multiple times for from multiple challenges I had throughout my life.
No sure how much you know about mental health care, but if I'm to recommend a therapy to anyone willing to try is DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
I must say I only lasted this long (I'm in my late 30s) is because what I learned there, It's not like those suicidal preventionist bullshit you'd usually see everywhere.
They will give you tools and teach you how and when to use them, and basically see what happens as the author of the program herself says.
It's one of the few treatments that are actually backed by real science.
Masha herself was suicidal.
I'm impressed how little people knows about this kind of therapy, I have he biography e-book if you'd like.

 

[lucretiareverie]

Yes.

I am working on a big recovery journal that has my full life story (probably want to cut down on that part) and things I've learned dealing with suicidal thoughts and mental health issues for the past 20 years.

A lot of it is taken from threads I've posted here.

My recovery is not full in any way, but I've gotten to a point where my highs make it worth it and my lows are not as terrible. I can't say I am "happy," but I want my life to continue, even if a voice in the back of my head points out the cons outweigh the pros most of the time. I have love, and a life that is mine, that I made. I'm no longer bound by other's whims. Yes, I'm small in the grand scheme of things, and reliant on work that feels like grueling torment in my brain, but I am a person all my own and living for someone wonderful.

Basic logical outline for why I can tell you recovery is possible even if I haven't fully recovered.

1. I learned to admit that if you're wanting to kill yourself something is wrong. It is not the natural human way to be. This doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, inherently, but something about situation, upbringing, outlook, health, circumstances, influences, etc. and in combination has caused you to get to this point. You probably won't be able to answer exactly what it is, but it is something.
2. Things can get better. This can be as small as going from a -99/100 mood to a -98/100 mood. Just evidence that some type of improvement is possible. None of the typical exercise, outdoors, diet, therapy, cognitive practices, 'go do charity' type of advice did nearly enough for me, but in sum after years of trying I realized I wasn't quite as bad.
3. There will be setbacks on the path to recovery, and you can get through them. Again, it only takes one. If you work up from a -99 to -92, then slip back to -105, and just one time in the future claw back to -92, you've proven you can overcome a setback.

Hope that helps a bit.

Thank you for this. It gave me a lot to think about.

The main issue with mental health is that when we're depressed the chemicals in our brain change, and our perception of the world/problems changes with it leading to that feeling that makes us feel like the world is end.

Of course, everyone experience pain differently.
What can affect me, maybe is a minor thing to you and you'll even bother with it.
Depends on the situation and how much you still have in you to fight it.
I recovered multiple times for from multiple challenges I had throughout my life.
No sure how much you know about mental health care, but if I'm to recommend a therapy to anyone willing to try is DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
I must say I only lasted this long (I'm in my late 30s) is because what I learned there, It's not like those suicidal preventionist bullshit you'd usually see everywhere.
They will give you tools and teach you how and when to use them, and basically see what happens as the author of the program herself says.
It's one of the few treatments that are actually backed by real science.
Masha herself was suicidal.
I'm impressed how little people knows about this kind of therapy, I have he biography e-book if you'd like.

This looks really interesting to me. Usually conversations on mental health and suicide psychiatric hospitals are constantly brought up or even forced, which is why I avoided speaking of it at all when I went to therapy. Therapy is not something I'm against, I just want something that works, so I'm willing to look more into this. Thank you.

 

[nogods4me]

Most people in a recovery section are going to want to believe it is possible.

 

[Well_Its_Time]

YES! It is very possible. I just don't want it for me

 

[Mukuro Ikusaba]

No.