Vicky, Bomb is much better at explaining the science in detail but the down regulation means that when there is too high of something, the receptors down regulate to try to keep levels at whatever they are perceiving they should be - so not necessarily balanced otherwise we’d all have perfect hormonal balance forever!
Whatever you decide to do, try to change your self talk that you ‘must’ be ok for work next week etc. what that does is make you feel in a panic, whereas if you say to yourself:
I’d really like to feel ok for work but I might not by next week and that’s ok as I am looking ahead at the long term relief. I know that it will take time for regimes to settle and the less I focus on it needing to work, the more in control I will feel.
This is the true statement whereas the ‘must get better’ is not. Work can be a good distraction from what you have been overplaying in your head so also tell yourself that, because it is a fact.
When feeling in a panic, for now, just keep repeating to yourself that everything will be ok, not perfect, but ok. You will notice feeling calmer and more able to cope.