Dear Ash_kaye
Hello and welcome. This is a great step for you on your way to get well. There is no such thing as a length of time to get well. It happens when it happens. Having said that, you must also be fully engaged in the healing process and not expect others to do the work for you. Well of course they cannot.
When you say, Every health professional I talk to treat me like I should be better by now, what sort of professionals are you talking about? GP, psychologist, counsellor etc.? I wonder what it is they are expecting from you.
There are times when I want to run away from my life. In fact I seriously considered doing so until I realised I would have no friends and family around me, neither would I have my GP and others to help me. Worst of all, I would still have my problems as they cannot be cast off like an old coat. Sigh.
It's where we are now that we need to be. I know that feeling of being swamped. It's something that gets discussed regularly with my GP along with ways to manage this dreadful deluge that leaves us fighting to get to the top and breathe. It's not a nice place to be. And of course the worst part is not seeing it coming.
What do you do in this situation? I wanted to reach out and hang on to someone until it was over but that's often impracticable. I have found I need to step back so to speak and let the first breath-taking wave wash over me. It leaves you feeling exhausted I know but it's the next part to concentrate on, the part that wants you to cry and say it's not fair (done that a lot), that wants you to give in and say I can't.
But you can manage because you have managed in the past. I think what you want is a way to get over it faster and I agree. Not a good place to stay. Always remember it will go away eventually and if that's the only thing you can hold on to, then do it. I want you to think of activities you can do, things you enjoy, that will help you move away from what I call the near drowning place.
What do you like? Walking or going to the gym, reading, cooking, meeting a friend for coffee and gossip? Can you make a list of all the activities you enjoy? When you come back here to write I would love to know what is on your list. We can then talk about what to do next.
Mary
