How Long Did Your Lowest Point Last?

[ADigitalArtist]

There is a reason I have only made a highly measured and focused amount of posts about the ensuing war.

You are not alone.

Same. It was part of the reason for my break. Lots of understandably high emotions.

 

[JustGeorge]

I think I'm going through that low point. Its been going on for quite some time(months?) I don't know when it will stop, but I can eat and sleep again.

 

[libre]

If you have passed the lowest or most difficult period in your life, how long did it last? Did it last longer than, shorter than, or as long as you had expected?

One day in June 2018 I overheard a family member make a comment that I found disturbing and caused a sort of psychological pain that I immediately tried to relieve. Unfortunately, the more I tried to relieve that thought, the more often it would pop back into my head, coming back sharper each time.

Within days that thought had evolved into a variety of anxieties and themes that I would get intrusive thoughts about. For the next month I could not go more than 30 seconds without experiencing an intrusive thought, and got locked in internal dialogue and reassurance in an attempt to cope.

After a month or so I started to believe that I was going to be that way forever and this was the new normal. I perceived myself as unloved, unlovable, unwanted, contaminated and became fixated on ways that I had hurt people in the past. I kept this entire experience from my family, not wanting them to know these 'truths' that I had come to about myself, lest they start to see me the same way.

After around three months of that I eventually opened up about what I was experiencing and pursued medical treatment. After a long process with the Canadian family medical system I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Anti-depressive medication had marginal positive affects and with a few years the thoughts started to become minutes apart, instead of seconds, but it was still enough to decimate my academics, income and other personal aspirations.

It's still something I live with every day but I recovered from the most serious harm by 2020, with a few pandemic related setbacks. My longtime partner left me because 'I wasn't getting better' and presumably thought I wasn't taking my disorder seriously enough, or maybe they just couldn't put up with me at that point.

It's difficult to open up about because other people don't really have a frame of reference to understand it, as my suffering is to some extent entirely imaginary and exists solely within the confines of my brain.

While I'm not entirely in the clear yet, I'd say it's been shorter than I had expected, given that I once considered my situation to be irreparable.

 

[InChrist]

^^THIS^^

The only difference is for me, it was sixteen years ago.

My daughter died twenty-one years ago. It was gut wrenching ... for years.

I’m so sorry you both have endured such loss and grief. I can’t imagine the devastating heartbreak. Some close friends, actually related through marriage of our children, lost a son almost six years ago.

 

[InChrist]

To be honest, one of the lowest and most difficult periods in my life has been October 7th and its aftermath. I feel imprisoned in the tragedy, and by despair it evokes. I struggle to deal with it.

I am very sorry about the situation. I have Jewish friends and it’s been a struggle for them and I think for most Jewish people in Israel and everywhere in the world.

 

[InChrist]

If you have passed the lowest or most difficult period in your life, how long did it last? Did it last longer than, shorter than, or as long as you had expected?

My lowest point was a long time ago (over 40 years ) when in a physically abusive relationship for a few years. At one point it became even worse and more violent. I really felt fear and hopelessness. Surprisingly, that aspect didn’t last too long. I wasn’t a Christian then and didn’t know God, but out of the blue prayed for help. Within a year we moved closer to family support, so I wasn’t isolated. I started getting counseling, then got out of that relationship and became free from the abuse.