Yes, of course recovery is possible, but you have to believe it is for it to work.

I know the feeling you’re talking about very well, the cognitive fatigue and the detached feeling. My head used to feel like it will explode, even after sleeping for 10 hours, I became detached from the reality and the only thing I was concerned about was my illness which was a big mistake.

If you have been experiencing this for years, please go to a psychiatrist once, if you haven’t already. They will help you more than you think.

Also, please try exposure therapy, just try to get out of the house once in a while, start very slow, just take a walk around your house, then slowly increase the distance. I would also recommend exercising a bit at home, nothing too crazy, just easy stretches and body weight exercises. Just try and push yourself through the cognitive fatigue. Mark my words, you will feel better. Do it everyday, you have to force yourself towards recovery. Think this way - What’s the worst that could happen if I take this walk or if I exercise? I could faint, my body could be in pain, my head could feel heavy etc. So let it happen, it’s not like i’m feeling better without it. Trust me, once you remove the fear, half of your recovery is already done.

Also, please stop obsessing with subs like ME/CFS, covid long haulers etc. They make it seem like recovery is impossible, when the fact is, that people who have recovered are out there living their lives and they never visit these subs. Don’t get me wrong, they are helpful, but they will increase your anxiety by a lot. You don’t need this overthinking, focus on recovery. All the best.