The recovery journey

3. Post-infection: struggle and not getting better

‘Mentally, I really suffered with being ill. I was feeling really depressed and quite anxious… Crying at times. Thinking no one understands me and I'm, like, some sort of freak. I felt like I'm letting people down.’

Key features of this stage are:

• People’s old models of recovery were challenged – you do what you usually do to recover and it doesn’t work – but you keep doing it.

• Pushing through; a lack of understanding/acceptance of how ill you are and your limitations.

• Questioning and seeking to understand: what’s happening? Is this in your head?

• Stigma including shame, guilt, self-stigma, and lack of validation/understanding from others.

• Seeking support from traditional healthcare providers/system, and often not receiving adequate support.

• Trying different things to get better.

• Isolation.

• Loss, and sense of identity/sense of self challenged.

• Challenges and anxieties around money and work.

• Usual coping/self-care strategies aren’t available because of the condition (exercise, social connection, work, hobbies, etc).