How long after a breakdown...?

[beawinner]

How long did it take you to get your life back?

I had a complete nervous breakdown in July of last year. I was in hospital for five days, then under the care of the home treatment team for two months. Discharged in September, and have been having private psychotherapy since November. I have a question mark/wait-and-see over my original diagnosis (bipolar disorder) and am not currently on any meds. I am due to see the psych team again in eight weeks time.

I havent been able to work at all since May last year (left my job due to stress shortly before the breakdown). I am trying to be kind to myself and to also be proactive in small ways with getting myself well again - joined the gym, am doing a distance learning course, doing lots of nice things with the kids, trying to stay positive etc.

But I feel as if I am still broken. I have good days more than bad days, but I am left with a complete lack of confidence, social anxiety, a dread of working or taking on any responsibility. It feels like being a child again. I hate it and feel so sad for the old me, who was competent and confident and had a career and lots of friends.

Will I ever get 'me' back?

[creamhearts]

I think it does take time. Everything disintegrated for me three years ago and I am still picking up the pieces. My confidence is rock bottom, but in the past year things have started picking up, I have gone back to work and I have started to be more normal again. I had another blip in September and I am having a low time at the moment but it does seem that I recover more quickly from theses crises now.

I am sorry you are struggling so much, be kind to yourself, it does take time xx