You were making real progress. Doing the work. Building new habits. And then, out of nowhere, the anxiety came back. The depression crept in. And the voice in your head started asking: Did any of that even work? Am I back to square one?

You're not. And this episode explains exactly why.

Jonathan shares a personal story about hitting a wall about a year into some of the best mental health progress he'd ever made, and how someone had actually warned him that a regression point was looming on the horizon.

Dr. Mark Mayfield breaks down what's really happening in your brain when regression hits, why feeling stuck after therapy doesn't mean you've failed, and why this moment might actually be one of the most important in your entire healing journey.

If you've ever felt like your mental health progress disappeared, or wondered why anxiety and depression come back after you've already done the work, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

• What mental health regression actually is and why it's not the enemy
• The neuroscience behind why your brain revisits old emotional states
• Why feeling worse after a period of progress doesn't mean you're going backwards
• The difference between seeking certainty vs. seeking clarity and why it matters
• What to do when you feel like you've lost all your mental health progress

Key Takeaways

Regression is not failure. When you feel like you're sliding backwards, your brain is actually creating an opportunity to go back and reprocess old emotional patterns with new tools. That's called reconsolidation — and it's how real, lasting healing works.

Awareness is evidence of growth. If you can recognize that something feels off, that's not a sign you're back at square one. That's proof the work you've done is paying off. The old you wouldn't have noticed.

Clarity over certainty. When you feel stuck, don't chase certainty — you won't find it. Instead, ask: What is one next step I can take to gain just a little more clarity? That's how you keep moving forward without overwhelming yourself.

Name it out loud. There is something powerful about simply saying: "I'm not doing as well as I'd like to be." Externalizing it gives you something to work with instead of something to fight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel like I'm going backwards in my mental health journey?

Feeling like you're regressing is incredibly common — and it doesn't mean your progress wasn't real. It often means your brain is revisiting an earlier emotional state with new perspective, which is actually part of deeper healing.

Is it normal for anxiety and depression to come back after therapy?

Yes. Mental health progress is not linear. Most people experience periods of regression — especially around anniversaries, seasonal changes, or major life transitions. The key is recognizing it early and knowing what to do next.

Closing Thought

You're not back at square one. You're being invited to go deeper than you've gone before.

Name it. Don't fight it. Take one next step.

Resources

Find more episodes, tools, and resources at mentalhealthmadesimple.life

Disclaimer

Mental Health Made Simple is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a counselor-client relationship. If you are struggling with your mental health, consider speaking with a licensed mental health professional. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.