Relapse: What It Is and How to Recognise It

Before talking about prevention, it is essential to understand what actually happens when someone "relapses." Dr. Saулitis approaches this not through moral judgement, but through biology — through how the brain works and what signals it sends.

Relapse Is a Symptom, Not a Failure

Just as apathy or inaction can be a "warning light" indicating something is wrong in the brain, a relapse is a signal that the system has moved outside its stable range. It does not mean the person is bad or weak. It means something in the system has stopped working.

"Laziness is a symptom. It is like a red warning light, a signal telling you: something is wrong with your body — specifically with your neurons, with your brain."

How the Brain "Freezes" Before a Relapse

Dr. Saулitis identifies several characteristic states that precede a loss of control or a return to unwanted behaviour:

• Freezing — the person cannot take a step in any direction. An internal programme kicks in: "Do nothing and you'll stay good" — and the person simply stops.
• The delusion of doubt — there are options, but none can be chosen. The person shifts back and forth between possibilities without moving forward.
• Self-reproach and being stuck in the past — thoughts keep circling around what happened before; the person cannot switch to action in the present moment.

None of these are character flaws. They are signs that neurotransmitter balance has been disrupted.

What to Recognise in Time

The key signal is not the relapse itself, but what comes before it: a sense of "freezing up," inability to decide, mounting self-blame, the feeling that the brain simply is not working.

"The brain just hangs, and the person cannot do anything."

That is precisely the moment when self-criticism is harmful and external pressure to "pull yourself together" only makes things worse. Recognising the symptom is already the first step toward addressing it.

When Professional Help Is Needed

If these states recur, intensify, or interfere with daily life, that is a reason to consult a specialist. What looks like a behavioural problem on the surface may reflect a neurotransmitter imbalance that requires professional assessment — not just willpower.

"Stop blaming yourself. It's like catching the flu or pneumonia — you got sick. A person is allowed to get sick."