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How do you cope with the anxiety after leaving?
Anonymous1842March 15, 2024
I left 3 months ago and some days are better than others. The physical distance is there, but mentally I still feel trapped sometimes.
Some days I wake up and feel free. Other days, I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, jumping at every notification, second-guessing every decision.
What helps you get through the hard days? How long did it take before you felt "normal" again? I know everyone's journey is different, but I'd love to hear your experiences.
Thank you for being here. This community has helped me more than you know.
3 replies
3 REPLIES
Anonymous38472 hours ago
First, I want to say I'm so proud of you for leaving. That takes incredible strength.
For me, it took about a year before I stopped having that constant anxiety. What helped me:
1. Therapy (specifically trauma-informed therapy)
2. Journaling every morning
3. A safety plan that I reviewed regularly
4. This community
The bad days get fewer and further between. Hang in there.
Anonymous91231 hour ago
I'm 2 years out and I still have moments. They're much rarer now, but they happen. What I've learned is that healing isn't linear. Be gentle with yourself on the hard days.
Something that helped me was creating new routines that had nothing to do with my past. New coffee shop, new walking route, new hobbies. Small things that were just MINE.
Anonymous562145 minutes ago
Sending you so much support. You're not alone in this.
One thing my therapist told me that really stuck: the anxiety you're feeling is your nervous system trying to protect you. It was necessary for survival. Now that you're safe, it takes time for your body to catch up to your reality.
Be patient with yourself. You survived. That's not nothing.
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