Ups and Downs: Unfamiliar Emotions

When dealing with talking about your experience, or thinking about it, or even when a memory or issue surfaces on it's own, you're going to have some ups and downs. My therapist told me that the road to recovery was not a straight line-it's like a wave, with low points and high points. She definitely was right. You will have moments that seem unbearable, especially if you're a teenager like me, with all these hormones flying around. If you've ever heard of the stages of acceptance, (or grief, whatever) it's somewhat like that. You have anger, fear, sadness, denial, and acceptance, and these don't necessarily have any order. They don't have set times, and you can have a stage way more than once. If you're sad, don't necessarily assume it's depression, like I did. You have to be sad constantly, rather than small patches of it (hey, not a doctor, this is from my personal experiences). If you are, talk to your therapist about it. Try to get your sadness out-express yourself. If you're not the artsy type, write about it, or talk to someone, or just distract yourself. If you're angry, please try to resist the urge to punch people. It's difficult, I know, I've wanted to punch many people out of rage that wasn't supposed to be directed at them. In denial, you have to strive to let out your emotions, even if they don't sound appealing. You'll feel better, most likely. Try to break that wall in your mind. I know it's easier said than done to not get overwhelmed, but treat yourself nicely if you break that wall. Do something fun, or plan something to look forward to. You'll appreciate it.