Recovery after a nervous breakdown

[711]

Hi 10 months ago I had a nervous breakdown and went into hyperventilation which was really scary and ended up in hospital and went through some very dark times. My recovery has been slow with setbacks just when I thought I was on top of it. I’m back working part time but need medication to get through these days. Physically I’m still not there yet and don’t find social event’s easy unless on meds. My wife has been very understanding and I love her dearly but it’s also challenging for her. I try to ride my mountain bike when possible but my body doesn’t  recover very well or fast, I eat healthy and work hard when doing my job cleaning. I have always been an anxious person right back when I was a kid and so I guess it all just caught up with me through the covid days of stress. How long realistically? should It take to feel normal again? 

[Mark Z.]

Hi 711,

Sorry for your challenge. It must be very hard for you.

Obviously you've done a lot of efforts to recover and keep a healthy life. You should be proud of yourself cause not everyone can do such a great job. 

If riding mountain bike is a bit too challenging now, you and add some easier exercise such as cycling on the street, or swimming. 

I can understand that it's also challenging for your wife, but I think seeing your great efforts, she should be more or less relieved. Maybe you can consider couple counselling sessions together with your wife, which might be inspiring for both of you.

I am also a very anxious person since childhood. I agree that it makes us less resilient in front of challenges. And our recovery is rarely linear, there are always ups and downs. Don't lose hope, I want to encourage you to celebrate every small progress, it'll keep you on the right track.

Hope everything will be better.

Mark

[geoff]

Hello 711, thanks for posting your comment.

I know how extremely difficult this can be, not only for yourself but also for your wife and realise that to come good doesn't automatically happen, but requires hard work by you with the support of your wife who could be having her own silent thoughts which may not have been disclosed.

I can't give you an answer because everybody is different and everybody has their own troubles which basically end up being the same problem with different circumstances.

Recovery after a nervous breakdown takes time and may have many ups and downs before you feel much better, but it's a learning curve we experience, to know what is suitable and what to avoid, bu it can't be rushed, it has to develop as time goes by and may influence both you and your wife.

For me this needs to happen slowly, because if you try and rush it, then you may skip crucial steps that will enable you to be able to cope.

Continue on what your doctor has suggested and take every day as an experience, learning what you feel comfortable doing and what to avoid.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[Johnny_]

Hi 711,

I am sorry to hear about your break down and the ripple affect it is having on your life. Be kind to yourselves and look back how far you’ve both come, your both doing well. On the hard days, only focus on that day. It works for me.

A therapist does help too. Writing in a dairy daily helps, as does meditation, cold therapy…it sucks but works for me, and breath work. oh and stretching lol, yoga…nothing strenuous. 

I am actually a year into my recovery from my break down. It sucks. I’m a health / fit person like you. I had to stop all physical activity at the start to allow my body to relax, to ease some of the tension. After a couple of months, I returned to the gym with very light routines, very light. Quiet social calendar too. I noticed I had to be gentle with my whole life. But it’s not forever. If I over did it…I’d break down in tears…this still happens but I notice the tension eases a bit every time I do so I learned to embrace it. 

Today, I physically feel much better, but still struggle with muscle tension in some areas and can’t push cardio as it inflames muscle tension, my anxiety and the tears otherwise I’m ok. Drs say it’s time. If i push, i pay, slow pace, be kind to one self and I’ll get there. 

I hope I’m some way this helps you. It’s a hard road but it’s doable. You can do it, we’ll actually, you are doing it. 

happy to answer qns if you have any. 

[711]

Thanks everyone for the replies I really appreciate it and the advice. It’s a journey alright and there is always something popping up. After having a MRI I found out I have a bulging disc that is pushing on a nerve and giving me grief which is spiking my anxiety. So many challenges ahead but I guess such is life. God bless 

[Mark Z.]

Hi 711,

Thank you for coming back an update. 

When you say many challenges ahead, do you mean according to the result of your MRI check, there is already a treatment solution but there's a long way to go? There are always things we can't control, if this is the case, all you can do is to stick on the treatment plan, and practice good self-care, both physically and mentally. 

God bless everything will be fine.

Mark