Treading Water: The Work of Healing That No One Sees

"During my years of psychiatric practice, patients would often tell me of their hard work in dealing with psychiatric illnesses or meeting the demands of damaged lives. Handling a mental disorder or arduous life situations had taken a lot out of them. This, by itself, wasn't what they wanted me to know. Rather, it was the sense that all the work did not seem to get them anywhere."

"Unfortunately, this is often how you feel having a recurrent illness or the terrible luck that befalls so many. What I would tell my patients left them both surprised and validated. I would say they were "treading water." Surprising, because it was not encouraging or complementary of their efforts. And validating, as the patients felt I understood their plight. My intention here was to point out just how much effort could seem pointless, but in fact kept them (and perhaps their families) from drowning."

Recovery from mental disorders or major life disruptions demands sustained effort that often feels fruitless. Persistent coping actions can resemble 'treading water': continuous, largely solitary activity that keeps a person from worsening but shows no visible forward progress. Severe medical or psychiatric conditions and intense life problems can prolong this state for months or years. Treading water may carry negativity, isolation, and a lack of understanding from others. Despite appearing pointless, this coping prevents collapse of functioning and relationships. Embracing acceptance of the slow, uneven course of healing supports endurance, reduces self-blame, and facilitates gradual recovery and growth.

Read at Psychology Today