My Recovery Journey

​Mental Breakdown - When Too Much Becomes Too Much

My recovery journey has been anything but easy. It has been a path filled with challenges, setbacks, lessons, and moments when I felt there was no way out.

From a mental breakdown in 2008 to struggling with severe obesity in 2025 and 2026, I have experienced some of the darkest periods of my life. 

But today, I am still here. I am moving forward, holding on to my faith, and working toward a healthier future. 

This is my story:

In 2008, a combination of head injuries, excessive stress, alcohol, and drug abuse contributed to a burnout and mental breakdown. 

My life changed dramatically. What followed was a long and difficult journey that affected not only my mental health but also my physical well-being, relationships, and outlook on life. 

At the time, I could not fully understand what was happening to me or how to cope with it. I was about to enter a chapter of my life that would challenge me in ways I could never have imagined. 

One Hospitalization After Another — Feeling Trapped 

The weight gain and the strange feeling of numbness were difficult to deal with. My speech and thoughts became much slower than before, and I struggled to accept my new reality. 

I resisted medication and found it difficult to accept that I needed ongoing treatment to support my well-being. Looking back, I can see how much my refusal to accept the situation contributed to the difficulties I experienced. 

One hospitalisation followed another. Eventually, I lost count after approximately 20 hospitalisations across multiple countries in Europe and North America. 

It was exhausting. I often felt trapped in a cycle that I could not escape. 

One of the most difficult parts was feeling that my concerns were not being heard. Before moving to another place of residence, I repeatedly asked for changes to my medication, but my requests were ignored or refused. 

There was even a moment when I felt ridiculed rather than taken seriously. My doctor asked me what I expected him to do and whether I wanted him to give me a gym membership or something else. 

My answer was simple: 

“A medication change would do.” 

All I wanted was to be heard and to find a treatment that worked better for me. 

A Change of Residence, A Change of Perspective 

Moving to a different place meant changing doctors, medication, and treatment.

It also gave me the opportunity to reconsider my mindset toward my illness. 

Gradually, my trust in the healthcare system began to return. The weight gain stopped, and I started to feel that there might be a way forward after all. 

Sometimes, finding the right support and the right treatment can make a tremendous difference. For me, this change became an important turning point. 

Growing Stronger - Learning to Accept What Is

One of the most significant moments in my recovery came when my new doctor took the time to explain my condition in a way I could understand. 

He explained the effects my head injury might have had on my brain and used a simple analogy to help me understand why medication was important. 

I am not a medical expert, and my understanding of the brain functions are limited.

However, that conversation helped me make sense of something I had struggled with for years. For the first time, I began to understand why taking medication could be an important part of looking after myself. I stopped resisting treatment and started taking my medication more consistently. In 2015, I even switched to monthly injections. 

That was a major step forward for me. 

I do believe in God and Jesus his son, and accepting medication was especially difficult because I had always hoped that my faith would bring complete healing. I wanted to believe that prayer alone would restore my health. 

But I also had to face the reality of what I had experienced. Some of the things I did, said, and especially thought during my darkest periods were frightening. 

I did not want to go through those experiences again. Nor did I want the people closest to me to suffer because I refused treatment that was helping me. 

Over time, I came to understand that accepting medical treatment did not mean abandoning my faith. I can continue to pray, trust in God, and believe in healing while also taking responsibility for my health. I believe God wants us to experience health and well-being, and I continue to hope that my health can improve further. 

Faith and medical treatment do not have to be enemies. For me, learning to make room for both has been an important part of recovery. 

Unfortunately, after leaving the country again, I found myself facing many of the same challenges. The weight gain returned, and it felt as though because I was starting over in a different place. 

I have since returned, but my treatment has changed. I am now receiving injections every three months and taking stronger medication than before. 

My journey has not been a straight line. There have been setbacks, difficult periods, and times when I felt that I had lost the progress I worked so hard to achieve. 

But I am still moving forward. 

And in 2026, a new chapter began: my journey toward better physical health through weight management, supplements, and medical support. 

Obesity Almost Took Over My Life - When Getting Out of Bed Became a Challenge

By 2025 and 2026, I had reached the highest weight of my life. 

At 230 kg (507 lbs), everyday activities had become incredibly difficult. My weight continued to increase year after year, and I struggled to see a way out. 

I could no longer put my socks on by myself with ease. My clothing size increased rapidly, going from 5XL to 7XL, and finding clothes that fitted became a challenge of its own. 

I even broke several chairs. 

These might sound like small things to someone who has never experienced severe obesity, but when they become part of your daily life, they can be deeply discouraging. 

My physical health was at its worst. I spent much of my time lying in bed, and even simple movements required considerable effort. 

One of the most frightening experiences was waking up at night and realising that I did not seem to be breathing. I would count for what felt like 10 to 12 seconds before my breathing resumed. 

Those moments were frightening and made me realize how seriously my weight was affecting my life. 

I knew something had to change. 

I did not want to continue living this way. I wanted to move more easily, regain some independence, and experience a better quality of life. 

Most importantly, I wanted to feel that I was taking steps toward a healthier future. 

GLP-1, Ozempic, and Supplements — Looking Ahead 

In 2026, I began focusing more seriously on my weight and overall well-being. 

Alongside GLP-1-related supplements, Ozempic injections prescribed as part of my treatment, and other supplements, I started working toward a healthier lifestyle. 

Over approximately six months, I lost around 40 lbs. 

But the number on the scale is only part of the story. 

I can walk more easily. I can stand for longer periods. I am no longer sleeping all day, every day. I still have days when I need to nap or sleep more than I would like. My energy levels are not consistent, and I still have difficult days. However, I am also experiencing days when I can accomplish more than before. 

For me, that is progress worth celebrating. 

Another significant change has been the reduction in my food cravings. 

Previously, I often felt the urge to eat first thing in the morning. Now, I can sometimes go until lunchtime before feeling ready to eat. 

My portions have also changed. Where I might once have eaten three slices of bread, I may now eat one or two. I still have bad days, and I know that recovery takes time. But overall, I feel encouraged by the progress I have made so far. 

At the moment, I am losing approximately 2 kg per month. 

I am not expecting everything to change overnight. After everything I have been through, I know that lasting progress requires patience, consistency, and the willingness to keep going, even when things are difficult. 

My goal is not simply to lose weight. I want to improve my mobility, increase my energy, and regain as much independence as possible. 

The Next Goal — Getting Back Into the Gym 

My next goal is to start going to the gym and develop a regular exercise routine. 

I know this will be another challenge, especially after spending so much time struggling with my weight and physical limitations. 

But I also know that I do not have to achieve everything at once. 

Every step counts. Every small improvement matters. And every day offers another opportunity to make a positive choice. 

I want to build a routine that works for my current abilities and gradually helps me become stronger. I want to focus on consistency rather than perfection and learn to appreciate the progress I make along the way. 

There may be setbacks, but I no longer want them to define my entire journey. 

My Recovery Journey Is Not Over 

Looking back, I can see how much I have been through since 2008. 

I have faced mental health challenges, numerous hospitalisations, difficulties accepting medication, changes in treatment, severe weight gain, and periods when even the simplest daily activities felt almost impossible. 

There were times when I felt stuck and times when I struggled to imagine a better future. 

Yet here I am, still trying, still learning, and still believing that things can improve. 

My journey has taught me that recovery is rarely a straight path. It can involve difficult decisions, unexpected setbacks, and learning to accept help when we need it most. 

It has also taught me that asking for support is not a weakness. Taking medication and/or supplements does not mean giving up on faith. And making progress does not always mean achieving something extraordinary.

Sometimes, it simply means being able to stand a little longer, walk a little farther, or get through a day with more energy than before. 

I am sharing my story because I know that other people may be facing struggles of their own. Perhaps you are dealing with mental health challenges, obesity, a chronic condition, or the frustration of feeling as though your life is not moving forward. 

If that is you, I hope my story reminds you that your current situation does not have to define your future. 

I am still at the beginning of a new chapter, and I have a long way to go. I will continue working with my healthcare providers, making changes where I can, and exploring ways to support my health responsibly. 

I will also continue holding on to my faith. 

This is my recovery journey. It is not perfect, and it is not finished. But it is mine, and I am determined to keep moving forward. 

One step at a time. 

One day at a time. 

With faith, hope, and the willingness to keep trying.