What if waiting it out is the only option? Growth not possible...

[withhopeinmyheart]

I'd really like to start this as a discussion instead of just rambling about my fear... 

 

I hope I can get my point across. 

 

I have been chronically ill before AD and withdrawal. Often housebound. But mostly happy, living my life the way I could. 

 

Now withdrawal has hit hard. Especially mental and psychological torment, but also physical, which makes my weakness, that was already there, even worse. 

 

I reinstated and do get improvements. 

But I worry. I may not be able to get much distraction or go outside to walk. 

 

Will this cause me to be stuck in this trauma? 

Do you know this? Are you too not able to adjust your daily life to your improvements? 

Or has someone here waited it out till the end of withdrawal and only then were able to pick up the pieces? 

 

My daily life screams withdrawal. Will I be able to drop that after it's over? 

 

Do you understand what I mean? 

[Gridley]

47 minutes ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

But I worry. I may not be able to get much distraction or go outside to walk. 

 

 

The fact that after you reinstated you experienced improvements indicates that you are stabilizing.  The distractions are to help you get through the withdrawal, but if you are not able to distract yourself and go outside to walk doesn't stop the stabilizing and healing.   It will not cause you to be stuck in the trauma.   Just do what you can do comfortably without stress to your system.  If for the moment it's nothing, that's fine.  It's better to accept where you are and be okay with that.  The fact that, as you wrote, you are mostly happy is great and will go a long way toward promoting healing.  There is no "should," like "I should be able to go outside or "I should be able to distract myself."  

 

Listen to your body.  If it is telling you to take it easy, listen to it.

[withhopeinmyheart]

Thank you Gridley! 

 

I meant I was happy before, despite being chronically I'll. 

Now I'm not able to feel happy or anything positive. 

 

I guess what I mean is, if the outer circumstances cannot be changed one bit during ALL of withdrawal, will I still notice that I get better? And can I get better without working on it? 

[Gridley]

45 minutes ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

 

I guess what I mean is, if the outer circumstances cannot be changed one bit during ALL of withdrawal, will I still notice that I get better? And can I get better without working on it? 

 

If I understand you correctly, you are concerned about healing if you can't do certain activities or "working at it."

 

Even if outer circumstances can't be changed, you will be able to notice that you get better.  Remember, though, that recovery is not linear, and there will be ups and downs (windows and waves).  But the general pattern is that you will increasingly notice progress as you continue through the withdrawal process.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Resting and doing what your body tells you it needs is sufficient, as long as you don't do things that are detrimental to recovery.  Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar and, as much as possible, stress. Eat a nutritious diet.  If you are having trouble with sleeping,  do the things that help promote sleep.

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

So, to repeat, don't worry about "working at it."  You will heal and you will slowly notice that you are getting better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JackieDecides]

1 hour ago, withhopeinmyheart said:

Now I'm not able to feel happy or anything positive. 

 

but you will. I don't know when, but you will.  ❤️

[withhopeinmyheart]

Thanks Gridley and Jackie! 

 

I think this traumatized me. Constantly scared that my mental state will not get better because of trauma... 

 

I'm sorry... I feel as if I'm "doing it wrong".