Accepting that "recovery" means learning to live with it

[BiggerOnTheInside]

How?

My GP once said to me at my darkest time, one day you will realise that this experience will give you something positive as well. I thought he was just being kind and frankly thought it was an odd comment to make.

He was of course correct, as Lobster says it helps you be much more empathetic to others and also gives you an inner strength because you were able to survive and come out of the other side.

I'm not saying I don't wish sometimes that I hadn't had/have MH problems, however I do accept it is part of who I am and can not change that, or even want to not be me.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. I'm sorry I'm not up to a detailed response but have read all of them. It's all pretty interesting and I guess individual too.

I have a constant thought of ending my life.. some days i plan it and some days i imagine it.

i had a rough childhood in every possible way mother commited suicide, sexual emotional and physical abuse.
some time i think my life is nothing but regret. i can actually sum up my life in one word, REGRET.
i have tried medication. therapy , mindfulness but nothign fills that void.
I just found out i may not be able to have children and thats end the wholel purpose of my existance. though i always thought i wont be a good mother. but knowign it hurt.

Oh Kav, I'm so sorry to hear that you've had such awful news. Have you got any real-life support to help you get through it?

For me "recovery" means learning to live with it differently.

It means learning to interpret, react and behave differently.

I'm both a meds and a therapy 'fan'. Has it made a difference, for me yes.

It's bloody hard work (and lengthy - years of therapy) trying to retrain your conscious emotional responses, not to mention working out what your unconscious is doing! And I did need the meds to get me in a good place first before the therapy (and the funds to support private therapy).

For me recovery isn't about going back to 'normal', it's about redefining a normal I can live with. No idea if it works for others, but I am getting there and I am more happy and content with 'me'. I hope things work out for the OP.

That's a great way to think about it, Jammy. I think defining a normal you can live with is a really useful way of conceptualising it - for me, at least, there is really no preexisting "normal" to go back to, as my whole life has been affected by mental health problems.

I'm glad meds and therapy made such a difference for you. Thanks for the good wishes