How Do You Get Through Setbacks?

[Justmehere]

I'm having a setback, a relapse, a spike in symptoms, over the past week. It's a doozy. Things haven't been this bad in two years, almost to the date. I'm not sure what triggered it or why this date and time of the year is hard. Last year was the first year it wasn't hard, and here I am, back in a bad spot again.

I can hear my therapist telling me now... "setbacks are a normal and expected part of the process" ... "what really matters is what you do with it."

I'm feeling really hopeless, which might be part of the spike in symptoms, as much as it is about the spike in symptoms.

I tend to be good at sliding downhill fast, and I'm working hard and doing everything I can to stop the slide and drag myself back on track.

My therapist is on vacation, but that's ok. I'll see her soon. She says I have a million coping skills, and I do.

But somehow, I'm still grasping for a life raft to keep myself from drowning and feeling so hopeless about being in this place again.

What do you do that helps you hang on to hope when things go downhill? What keeps you pulling through? What helps you get back on track after a setback? Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?

 

[ladee]

This may not help you at all but it's what I did.
After I had learned a "million coping skills" and nothing was working..I just surrendered to the slide.
I already knew how to pull myself out.
But what I learned is that fighting it didn't help..it only prolonged and exhausted me and I ended up there anyway.
I found by surrendering to the slide..I was able to see significant things I had missed on my first visit to the issue.
Things that were going to help my healing.
Can only share my experiance..I understood on some level..that I was going to end up there until I learned what I needed to learn.
Each time back up the slope I was stronger, more healed and more confident.
Backsliding is not a bad thing. Doesn't mean we aren't vigilant to out healing process..it just meant, for me that I missed a piece of the puzzle I wasn't ready to deal with.
Hopeing you are trying to be kind to yourself.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

After I had learned a "million coping skills" and nothing was working..I just surrendered to the slide.
I already knew how to pull myself out.
But what I learned is that fighting it didn't help..it only prolonged and exhausted me and I ended up there anyway.

Yes, yes, yes! What I did after posting here about it. I think i have stopped sliding now and am at the bottom trying to climb back out but yes, fighting it wasnt working and just made it all worse.

:hug:s @Justmehere! I understand the feeling and I'm sorry you're going through it!

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I understand what this feels like and I am there myself, currently. I am trying to be kind and gentle with myself to help slow the slide and prevent any more damage to me. I wish you the best, but knowing you I think you will come out of this okay.

 

[Justmehere]

Gosh, you all somehow knew I was really beating myself up for this. Thanks for all the reminders to be kind to myself. I am seriously taken aback with tears reading your responses - tears I have been avoiding and holding in - tears coming from a really core place.

Thank you for helping me let go and for being so compassionate when I had none for myself.

 

[Kintsugi]

Today I told my T that I'm right on the edge of severe depression and isolation, and I said that my slippery slope isn't a slippery slope; it's a cliff face, a chasm, a pit of doom, a suicide ridge along which I'm stumbling.

I wish I could give you some useful pointers, but all I have is a sense of understanding.

 

[ladee]

Hang tight @Simply Simon , it changes. Just hold on.

 

[Justmehere]

:hug: @Simply Simon - The path to the edge of a similar cliff in my brain is so well worn. I'm sorry you are wrestling with this too, and it helps to know I'm not alone.

 

[VioletButterfly]

@Justmehere , @gizmo , @Simply Simon - sending support and :hug:. I'm in a slide as well, very afraid of the cliff I'm heading toward. I understand hopelessness and what it does to any effort to help oneself. I'm trying to keep life as simple as possible and to concentrate on self-compassion, self-care, and mindfulness. It's the only path I know to get back to a healthier place. Praying you find the light you need to help you to a more peaceful place.

 

[Ronin]

... With lots of photos of places filling me with hope.

And gentle & loved faces, them too.

Hang on tight, everyone. The tide turns.

 

[Deleted member 541]

To everyone that's sliding down that slope..... Waiting at the bottom is a field of flowers, sunshine, beauty and you!!!! Hang tight, hang tough and this too shall pass.

It comes in waves, but waves crash on the shore and disappear.

 

[Ronin]

Waiting at the bottom is a field of flowers, sunshine, beauty and you!!!!

Some people here know how to reframe so damned beautifully. :sneaky:

Thank you, She Cat.