FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Our stories

Recovery

Recovery

Hi SANE Forum,

Eight months ago I had a prescription drug induced psychotic depressive episode.

It was really scary - a 2-3 week period of increasingly paranoid and delusional depressive thoughts, visual hallucinations, intrusive suicidal thoughts and what felt like a pretty sketchy ‘moment.’ This was a culmination of two years of significant, ongoing and permanent physical health problems, ongoing work and relationship stress. Oh yeah, double COVID and just general lockdown lyf.

I went through Austin HOPE and CAT teams at the time. And was able to set up my own psychologist during the experience. Medication for mood regulation and sleep is really good now.

The main thing I find now is that at times rumination about the experience can intrude a bit. Mainly guilt / shame that it happened. I know it wasn’t “my fault.” But it felt quite “public” to me, and, despite the fact that all my friends, family and partner were very supportive, it still feels embarrassing.

Q: How have people dealt with these sorts of feelings afterwards? How have people ‘changed their relationship’ to their similar type of experience? Is this something you have learned to ‘leave behind’ or ‘take with’ going forward?


Probably a question about forgiveness, really.

Another question I have is about recovery.

Q: How do people define the idea of “recovery” and their own? What are your measures, I suppose in the long term?

These might be a bit too philosophical, but am wondering if people define recovery by themselves “before” an event like this or before a diagnosis.

Appreciate your thoughts and time reading my story.

13 replies

1 - 10 of 13

In response to: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Very insightful questions there @NewUser123 - so glad you asked them!

I can't answer all, but I can answer what I can based on my own experiences. In defining recovery, I see it as a life long experience. Recovery isn't overnight. It is a journey. And as you recover, there are always things to work on. However, remission from a certain condition may be that it no longer has hold on your life so that you can now live with purpose and thrive.

That's how I see recovery. I cannot confidently say that I am 'recovered'. There's always more to work on.

In response to: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Hey, I recently got off the antipsychotics.. two days ago.. I’m still wiggin out a little bit off the side effects.. can’t wait for this filth to leave my system.. I’ve tried well over 10 different antipsychotics over a 20 years period. Even new ones.. I had a new antipsychotic last year in December and I had a massive episode.. walked the block three times late at night barking defensive colourful lingo.. when I got off it.. I didn’t click out for a month when I just did exercise.. felt better.. still had the troll free roam voices. I’ve had so many episodes I should of been killed by someone who thought I was a threat to the public…But I never was a threat to anyone in public... not once.. I only yelled defensive stuff like most Skitzo’s do .. “bugger off” .. “ no I’m not!!” ect ect.. my loose cannon tears & years were only because of those filthy pharmaceuticals..I exercise now.. that’s all I’ve got.. not sure if there’s some magic pill to stop the troll free roam voices.. but don’t care as much as I did.. I feel worse for other young victims who have those pills going through their blood not helping them much.. or making them worse than they would be by just:

exercising it off..or distraction (mindfulness) or loud music..

whatever cure.. but pills were crapola for me and my mates .. the recovery is only health.. healthy food.. healthy music (bit of raw vibes to vent too) and fitness.. slogging out the troll crap.. I was told years ago.. but my family always thought the pills were helping us… I was suicidal for the last 20 years when the time would come.. I can’t bring that up now. But it’s petrifying to think of.. all those years of fear.. self abuse.. drug abuse.. just cause the pain was trolled.. flog voices picking emotional scabs..

recovery is health.. pills didn’t do it for me.. I could feel them in my blood.. that anger.. the rage searing only from side effects.. I don’t feel that as intense without them in my system.. sure I get upset.. just gotta nut it out on the bike.. or weights.. bump some tunes.. mosh that noise out of your head.. if pills have worked..

doctors are happy to experiment even if it endangered our lives knowing good and well side effects for trauma victims can be catastrophic

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Hey @SkitzoProd ,

Welcome to the forums.

Thank you for sharing your experiences about taking antipsychotics. While they may not have been helpful for you, despite side effects, they have made a world of difference to others.

It is important that we balance these experiences so that those reading on can make an informed choice in consultation with their treating team.

I wish you all the best with your recovery.

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

That my was just personal experience.. and personal advice.. it’s a grain of salt.. not gospel

if there is magic pill.. most of us victims need it.. all ages.. and that shouldn’t be the way it is.. because the majority of us still suffer immensely and gain weight on those pill$

In response to: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Hi @NewUser123

Welcome to the forum - it's great that you have found us

I am not sure about recovery - everyone's experience is different. What I have found for myself is that time itself is a great healer and really - mostly other people forget a lot of what we can carry around for years.

Self-forgiveness is a concept I have considered deeply - after all - when we are ill - mental or physical illness - we are not really "ourselves" and where we most likely would be tolerant about another person's "delicacies" we have a harder time with our own. I have had my own moments and I believe that remembering can be worse that the event itself.

Go easy on yourself - it was the medication stuffing up your behaviour - from what I gather from what you write - and personally I have drawn a line at certain pain medications (not all) I have been prescribed for chronic pain - no - not having that.

When it comes to medication for mental illness though - I have had some in the past for depression and it was rotten - I found a different psychiatrist who treated me without anti-depressants - and as I had reactive depression this was a different scenario - but still - I do remember feeling off under that medication - I resent that I ever took it. Still - that's a situation that has to be different for everyone.

You seem to be an intelligent and thoughtful person - and you care - and I think you have been responsible. I understand that this could make it harder to get past your experience without embarrassment. I'm sorry about that and I think I identify with some of what you have been through.

There was a time when I was in hospital that I misbehaved - for a long time I was ashamed but in my old age I am rather proud that I stood my ground as I did.

My suggestion - go easy on yourself and join in here as you feel ready. We are a very accepting community

Owlunar

In response to: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Hi and welcome, @NewUser123 , it's good you've joined 🙂


@NewUser123 wrote:

Q: How do people define the idea of “recovery” and their own? What are your measures, I suppose in the long term?


I define recovery as a process, and I never expect to be "cured" completely. I have 6 MIs (mental illnesses) and recovery for me is constantly working at them so as I can function in life - go to all my medical appts, go to my volunteer job, socialise and try to manage the house. I tend to get along OK mostly, with some dips and lows. One long-term measure that keeps me stable is my psych meds - I can't forget taking them or I end up a quivering mess. I expect to be on them for life, and I'm happy with that as it gives me back my life.

Other long term measures are things like keeping a sleep routine, getting out into nature every day, meditating, keeping up with friends, those sort of things that nourish my soul.



A handy forum tip is if you type @ and then click on a name in the drop-down box, that person will get a notification and won't miss your reply. 🙂

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Thanks for your thoughts @tyme

I think the “no longer has a hold” is a good idea - “freedom from.” Same approach to the permanent physical illness I’ve got. Thanks! 🙂

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Thanks for your reply. I’ve found exercise to be a really important piece of the puzzle. Agree that the side effects of any ongoing medication aren’t great. For me, I know a low dose of medication works. Wish you all the best.

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

How are you today anyway @NewUser123 ?

In response to: Re: Recovery

Re: Recovery

Thanks @Owlunar really appreciate your thoughts and comments. Good food for thought. It’s definitely easier for me to go gently on others, rather than self. Interesting point about others forgetting what we carry around - so true!
1 - 10 of 13