How Long Did It Take?

[Uceta]

Just have a minute to post.
How long did it take for anyone out there, after a nervous breakdown, borderline reality break, to find some normal again. in: cognitive functioning, PTSD symptoms, motivation, being able to think about the future, feel stable mentally etc...
what helped you?
Thanks

 

[Omis]

Let you know when I get there.

Usually a week of intensive calm and focusing only on my health / needs when feasible, or having only the stress that I am good with in that time (crises energize me. Interpersonal drama and petty bullshit drop me quick and don't help.)

Reaching out, meantime. Mantaining at least minimal contact with social network, and with reality.

Upholding as many routines as I can. No matter how small. It's eating done, it's brushing teeth done, it's taking a shower? All schon and mighty.

Not self injuring and not engaging toxic people, because if I do in that time, I spin myself sideways.

 

[Cigajik]

I think with me it took about 4-5 years to start being able to think clearly again.
So it's been 7 years now and I'm a LOT better, but still wary of other people, and as Omis said, I too get knocked sidewise by self injury ( in my case drinking) and toxic people.
They may not even be toxic, just people that need/want too much from me.
It feels bad and scary to me now - any slight overstepping of my boundaries and that feeling of not being safe and like it cd all happen again returns.
At least I do feel sane - ish!
I wonder though if I'll ever really feel safe again

 

[Apef]

The first time my PTSD got bad, it took about 5 years from when I broke, to being nearly asymptomatic.

The second time my PTSD got bad? Well. I'll let you know when I get there. This year I'm about half as bad as I was last year.

 

[Etoz]

I think I'm going on 6 years? Not sure I'll ever be normal though. No hope for that!

 

[Uhikic]

Think it is a ongoing process. The time frame varies l guess on so many factors. Think it was two years and l suddenly found l had a voice and could speak up for myself. Boundaries felt comfortable and l stopped second guessing them. For some reason l had to feel comfortable with them to really feel them. Everything stop feeling so intense and directed at me day to day(paranoia). Thank god that's over. Getting outside of yourself is the defining moment. When you can let go off the me, and go out in society as just a random person and not be hijacked by your personal monologue, you have left the tunnel.