My own post-episode recovery periods are seriously hard to describe. It seems like I go through a stretch that is quite far beyond my own sensory recognition, much less words, but vitally important to recovery and progress.

I try to experience it with as few words as possible. My favorite meditation visual for it is the folklore of "The Phoenix Rising." That is a multi-cultural myth and sometimes I use the mythology of other cultures, just to keep it fresh. I have been through the fires of my psychosis and am rising anew. I do not need to analyze every ash I shake from my renewed feathers as I rise, nor do I need to inventory and name every feather of my renewal. I simply rise and let the ashes fall where they may. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

In short, yes, that makes sense, but I'll be jiggered if I can find adequate verbiage for the sense it makes. Sometimes words just aren't enough.

Great answer!! I like the Phoenix Rising visualization!!

I think if a lot is going on in my life I can feel fragile for a while and it doesn't take much to shake me up... It does take time to come out of an episode... Big hug sweetie...xo

DS is a big thing in most of our lives here ... xo

This sort of incidence has happened in my life too and the emotions are stored through the trials in my mind and psychological makeup. Tears are a cleansing process and I see nothing wrong with it. I consider it my awakening and it brings me to a peaceful place.

Yes, I find that as well. Esp. if I'm getting out of the phosp...then i'm teary for the next few months, and feeling fragile.

I'm more fragile when depressed, I know that much for sure...and immediately afterwards that dreaded sense of this good can only last so long hangs around for a while. I could do without both!

Great feedback and insight. Thank you for your replies. It's a lot to digest. I find that I too have the feeling that the renewal is fleeting and I must grasp it with all I have, living in the moment as much as possible. So I scramble to "catch" up with all that was left undone and unsaid. That's mostly my experience these last years as I sit on the depression side of the spectrum. Depression lies and renewal seems redundant. But it must be done each time, I think. Maybe it's that we are learning and growing, hence the growing "pains". I just wish I had a printed schedule for the ride. Therapy for me is an invaluable part of my treatment plan. It helps me "reset" that negative self talk, holding on and enjoying each moment as it comes. Therein lies the challenge.

After a huge episode I have to be gentle with myself. I have a teary day every now and then. I think it is OK and like you said a release of built up stress