For context I have ADHD (diagnosed 6 years ago) and have recently been diagnosed with level 1/2 Autism.
18 months ago I had a nervous breakdown due to many external factors that caused me severe, unimaginable trauma while also mirroring some of the worst trauma of my childhood. (Childhood abuse, domestic violence, money insecurity etc) I had never experienced depression on such a large scale before. I have always been more inclined to anxiety and panic attacks. (Btw my partner is not abusive, this was more just constant PTSD triggers and threats from people)
I went to a mental health facility for three weeks. It saved my life. I was planning to end my life and made the decision to voluntarily admit myself, with the support of my friends, my partner and family. It was amazing,but as soon as I got out the trauma I was experiencing prior to admission got much worse than it was before.
Things completely out of my control began to ruin my life, one by one. I can’t explain exactly what happened without giving away who I am or what I do for work, but it involved a large scale harassment campaign that lead to tangible real life impacts (I’m talking hundreds of thousands of dollars lost, my career and my partners careers threatened, death threats). In this time an ex of mine ended his own life.
Every time one hurdle was over come, another worse tragedy would occur. Literally the same day. Every time. There were six or so major events and if one was resolved the morning of April 16 (for example) by the afternoon another horrific thing had happened. It was unbelievable.
I felt stuck. I felt like maybe I was imagining it. It made me disconnect from reality. I stated to fear good things happening because it always meant something worse was around the corner.
I had created this beautiful life with an amazing partner after surviving so much. I had financial security that I had never had. I was in a happy, loving relationship. I had friends and ambition. And it was being taken away piece by piece.
I then had another nervous breakdown, then another. This time, the clinic I had gone to for help before had shut. I was so devastated. It was my lifeline.
In this time I spent days in bed for the first time ever. I stopped doing work. I stopped replying to friends. I started lying to people about how I was feeling.
Before this, I was a chronic over sharer and my friends knew my every thought. Now I am so ashamed to admit how bad things got, and how bad they are. It’s also hard to explain that despite the fact I wake up every morning with intense suicidal thoughts, this is the best I have felt in 18 months. I worry my friends will be upset with me if I tell them what has been happening and how many times I’ve genuinely gotten close to ending my life after appearing joyous at a dinner with them hours before.
Over the last 6 months I’ve worked more than ever, and I appear to be “better” to everyone in my life (except my partner, who then has to carry the burden of being with someone so stuck in their sadness). I have put all my energy into getting better. I have started new hobbies, meditation, gotten back into consistent exercise (before this I did intense workouts every day, now I am happy if I go once a week). It’s working, but slowly, and takes all my energy and there’s nothing left for socialising or fun. It’s like I’m in an intense rehabilitation program where everything feels like work.
Now, as I get slightly better, and am no longer sleeping all day or ignoring work I am realising I am so far away from everyone. I have isolated myself. I’ve been lying to my friends by performing happiness. I don’t feel close to my partner, despite him only becoming increasingly loving and caring toward me during this time.
I have a few good friends, but I feel like fraud even saying that. Before this I had deep beautiful friendships, where we would talk all day every day. Now, I barely talk to friends unless they reach out. I haven’t called a friend in about a year. I used to chat every day on the phone for hours. I had to host dinners. I used to be a real person with real friends.
Now I feel like I am a shell of myself and I don’t even know who I was to begin with. My memory is awful (is this normal too?) and I can barely remember things that happened a month ago. Last night a friend of mine told me to tell a new friend a story of mine from June (my entire Job is public speaking and story telling in a comedic way so this is my forte). I started to tell the story, froze up and realised I couldn’t remember it. My brain has deleted the last 18 months from memory.
I feel as though I have no close connections. I am so alone. My friends would disagree. I had 4 friends come and support me at tonight at a performance I was doing. I socialise once a week minimum. Despite this seemingly robust social life, I feel like I see no one and have no one. I don’t know how to explain it. The facts disagree, but I just feel like I’m not close to anyone anymore.
My partner puts time aside for us, and we are going on a holiday next week. The issue is, I usually spend holidays crying or having panic attacks or getting sick. So we don’t connect much any more. He’s just trying to keep me alive. And that of course puts endless stress on him. I then feel more guilt and promise him “I’ll be happy this time” and ultimately let myself, and him down.
Sorry for this long post, but my question is this
Is this normal? Is it a sign that things are getting worse and I just don’t know it? Or is this what happens after neglecting your life for almost two years? How do I reconnect with people? Is it a sign that I’ve maybe outgrown these friendships?
I’m so scared to be honest about how I am feeling but I know that’s the answer. How have you gotten over this period?
Mostly, I need hope. So if anyone can relate to this, has recovered from feeling so low all the time, I’d love to hear your experience and journey.
Every day feels the same. I feel no joy and no connection. I am alone and depressed despite all the good around me
TLDR: I’ve been depressed for 18 months and am finally coming out of it yet now I’m not able to feel close to anyone, even my partner. I feel awkward in everyone’s presence and detached from reality. My mental health is better, but I’m looking around at all my relationships and feel nothing. I try so hard to feel connected and I just can’t.