Without considering anyone's else's response, do I believe that we can "recover?" No.

I believe that the only thing we can do is modify our behaviors (our outward behaviours), so we, and others, may be able to accept ourselves more readily, but again, NO, I do not believe that we will ever be free from this pain. It is just too deeply ingrained (unless, of course, one is like the infamous John Nash. But then, again, he never DID recover, did he? He only was able to "manage," better than all others - his illness.

The only ones that may have a greater chance is the youngest ones, simply because their wiring is not quite "set in stone," so to speak (and how often are they diagnosed correctly the first time around, and before much damage is done).

I believe we must come to terms with how our brains function now. We have set a certain pattern in our brain functioning and that will never change completely.

Do I want to change? Of course I do. Is it likely? Not even the greatest minds of psychiatry think we can. You may, indeed, be one of those who are completely set free, but for most of us, that reality will only serve to damage us further.

Hope for a better future, is not the same thing, however, so do not mix this up with what I am saying. A better future is in store for ALL of us. It is a matter, now, of training. Training does not, in itself, change the original thought pattern - it only overrides it - much like military training does.

I am not trying to kill anyone's hope here, because, I honestly believe that the younger one is diagnosed - ACCURATELY - the better chance they have in dealing with their illness, and, of course, with age, comes a certain amount of acceptance and a lessening of energy that may spur on greater havoc.

I have seen no evidence, anywhere, where one has completely recovered - not even with the infamous Dr. Linehan.

But, then again, this is only MY opinion....

Altered State