RickSenior Contributor
the complications of recovery
Recently I experienced the beginnings of what may turn out to be some clinical recovery.
14 years of trial and error, every type of appropriate med. therapy and treatment (including ECT) all to no effect.
Then the last grasp, a medication not often used and not recommended is trialed and what do you know, I suddenly am experiencing something other than dangerous dysthymic depresssion.
At first it was great. Just a pleasure. I had to contemplate even that idea, something being a pleasure. Not something I hhad much experience with.
This was the first experience of an extended emotional range.
Up until then my range was very limited. This is the hallmark of dysthymia.
So here we are, "new " emotional states. But I don't know what most of them are. There is a subtlety that is new as well. I am experiencing good stuff and also differing levels of the not so good stuff. This is normal. This is the experience most people have. A wide range of emotions, acros the spectrum with much subtlety.
I am very distressed by all this. I haven't admitted this to anyone until now. I believe I should be grateful for feeling a bit better. But I'm confused. Triggered, reactive and feel stupid because I am being blindsided all the time. When ones emotional range is limited, emotional intelligence is easy.
Right now I am emotionally stupid. So, I now have some good days. This is a wonder. I've not had any before. But I'm still having bad days. But it's different. It's somehow worse, cos I don't understand what I'm feeling. My thoughts aren't keeping up with the emotions.
the effects of the extended developmental trauma is still very present. The intrusive memories ( some call flashbacks) are more intense. Like some kind of sensorium. Far more distressing than before.
Myy job is sometimes hard. I am finding that to be true at the moment.
I feel I should be feeling grateful but instead I am feeling quite ill. Differently so.
I plan to discuss this with my doc but day to day I'm alone with this. No natural supports life a wife or family. My grief for the estrangment of my 14 yo daughter is unbearable.
I know this is better.
But I'm still complexly MI and it's still shit. Yes there has been some clinical recovery, but it is making everything harder.
I wouldn't go back to dysthymia. But this ....................
Noone can help. Even if anyone was there they couldn't help.
whinge whinge moan moan...........................................