[GR] It's getting better! ...Wait, no. It's getting worse.
It goes without saying that throughout our lives, we all go through stages where we are feeling better or worse than we usually would. Sometimes we may feel that we are coping well, achieving our goals and able to see our lives going the way we hope for, and it feels a little like it looks like this:
Other times, everything may feel overwhelming, impossible or too painful. And you're kinda just like:
For this week's Getting Real, we'll be discussing the concepts of Relapse and Recovery - what that means to us, how it affects our lives and what we can do to promote our wellbeing.
Join us from 8pm (AEDT) on Monday, January 9th to discuss your thoughts Relapse and Recovery or post below with your ideas!
What do recovery and relapse mean to you?
I like to think of recovery and relapse as a journey rather than an absolute. I think most things in life come in waves - including recovery - and it means something different to everyone. To me recovery means you are becoming more able to do the things that you want to do and previously couldn't do
I definitely agree with the idea of recovery as a jouney, @May_. I guess that incorporates the idea of there being less expectations of "reaching" recovery and allows for the mistakes and mis-steps that make us human
It's great that we've been able to identify and address some setbacks. Here's another interesting question:
Do you think it’s okay to have a relapse? What are the positive and negative aspects of having a relapse?
Do you think it's okay to have a relapse? What are the negative and positive aspects of having a relapse?
It's taken me a long time to learn that relapsing doesn't mean I'm not worth the air I breathe. In the past, when I've relapsed I've always, always, blamed myself. And because I've blamed myself, I've made myself feel like I could have and, more importantly, should have, stopped myself from getting in to this position - by which logic I always decided that I deserved it. Now I think it's okay - it's natural. Literally everyone has their ups and downs; some people's may not feel as drastic as mine but they do. still. happen.
I think negatives of relapsing for me mostly include the feeling that I've ruined everything, and won't be able to get my life back on track; it also makes me feel like I've let the people around me down.
I think, though, that a positive of relapsing is that when I'm finally back on the upward of the dip, it's amazing motivation for me to prove my own negative thinking wrong and be determined to get my sh!t together!
yes @dustb0wldance - "relapsing doesn't mean I'm not worth the air I breathe" I need to write this over and over again when it doesn't feel true until I start to believe it. So well put!
It's definitely okay to relapse. It's part of the process. Or at least that's how I try to think of it...
Negatives: Leaves you feeling guilty, maybe ashamed, feels like a step backwards.
Positives: can be empowering, affirming the importance of moving forward
Do you think it's okay to have a relapse? What are the negative and positive aspects of having a relapse?
I do. I think it's all part of the journey. Like you have to have the setbacks to appreciate the goos times.
The negative aspects of a relapse are that you may feel like you have to start again.
The positives are that it means more time for practise on your skills. You learn better from your mistakes.
I think relapsing is okay as long as it can be controlled. Impulsiveness can be dangerous in a relapse, that's way strategies and coping skills are important. A replase can mean learning even more skills and learning how strong we can be 🙂
It's important not to beat ourselves up after a relapse, e.g. scars fade after time
Totally agree @loves netball and I think you raise a really good point about how impulsiveness means that skills/strategies are so important
Moving on to our next question.
This one is similar to the previous ones but i'm keen to see your responses:
What things do you think have or could lead you to having a relapse?
Bting off more than I can chew and not respecting my limitations is something that has lead or could lead to relapse for me...
What things do you think have or could lead you to having a relapse?
Having a crisis, feeling overwhelmed or stressed, not having enough alone time, etc. But pushing through tough times or things that I feel like I "can't do" is what makes me ultimately stronger
What things do you think have or could lead you to having a relapse?
(*huff* *huff* Finally caught up...)
For me, I think it usually has to do with not paying attention to warning signs- like if I'm drinking waaaayy too much caffeine in a week because I'm overburdening myself, or if I'm withdrawing away from my support network at a time of the year when I know I'm usually sensitive. The thing I mentioned about being overly dependent on just one thing as a source of my self-esteem (e.g. grades) is also a pretty big risk factor as well (e.g. going from high school to uni).
Ahhhhh @Asche, I could not have worded either of those responses better if I tried! I totally, totally, totally agree with everything that you have said!
What things do you think have or could lead you to having a relapse?
I agree with everyone else, anniversaries, stressful events, negative thoughts, crises and taking on too much responsibility can, have and will lead me to relapse.
What things do you think have or could lead you to having a relapse?
A lot has been covered but I'd definitely like to add that even the presence of some people can cause a relapse too!
I was going to try and make it until the end tonight, but I'm quite tired so I think I'll head to bed. Night, everyone!
Seeecond last Q:
Have you been able to overcome a relapse? How were you able to do this?
Have you been able to overcome a relapse? How were you able to do this?
Self-belief. Willpower. Sometimes creating physical distance. It's not always easy with that last one though. Having people ready to support you was/is definitely a key factor to overcome relapse, for me at least.
Have you been able to overcome a relapse? How were you able to do this?
Overcoming relapses has never really been a definitive thing for me - like, I can pinpoint the time where I relapsed but never when I overcame it. One of the most effective ways of overcoming relapses for me has been thought reframing exercises. These help me sooo much to put everything back in to perspective and start to pick up the pieces from a breakdown.
