Over Stimulation

Over Stimulation

I heard this word a bunch with Dr. Andrews. I knew what it meant, but I needed to make sure that I understood what Dr. Andrews was talking about in regards to my disorder – Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

According to the Learners Dictionary, over stimulation is to cause (someone or something) to become too active or excited: to stimulate (someone or something) too much.

What was overstimulating for me? Really, there are so many things which can cause me to get active or excited:

• Pretty Girl (Smart Girl)
• Smart Girl’s child
• Playing with children
• Laughter
• My kids
• Good book
• Bicycling
• Yoga
• Playing in pool
• Going to beach
• Good sermon
• Share the gospel
• Checklist
• Meet new people
• Concerts
• Yardwork
• Work
• Running a business
• Accomplishment
• Life
• Travel

The list can go on and on, but the definition mentions “too” or “too much.” Do all these things over stimulate me?

I have always been excitable and active. I could handle many things at one time. I could juggle many activities. I liked to move, to do, to progress, to succeed, and to accomplish. I had a checklist, and I wanted to check things off my list. I felt  good when I make that checkmark

Once again, checking a checklist is not going to make me so overstimulated that I can not function, or I lose control. Or can it?

According to Dr. Andrews, it is not the checklist; it is the activities or the consequences of overdoing the activities. If I do too much, then it can overstimulate me and shut me down, especially if I am fatigued or experiencing slight episodes of the disorder. My triggers can activate, and they can be much worse.

What triggers FND?

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Complicated problems
• Doing too many things at one time
• Work to long
• Work too hard
• Unreal expectations
• Unsolvable problems
• Irritants
• Controversy
• Pain
• Illness
• Disagreements
• Arguments

What over stimulants trigger me?

• Sunlight
• Pain
• Disagreements
• Complicated Instructions
• Tired
• Stress – mental, physical, emotional
• Negotiations
• Complicated and long verbal conversations
• Long-drawn out stories
• Overindulge in exercise or work
• Unnecessary questions
• Lies
• Selective memories
• Illogical jibberish

How do you live in society if these things overstimulate you where you shut down or go into a rage?

• Learn triggers
• Reduce triggers
• Avoid triggers
• Simplify life
• Get plenty of sleep
• Stop doing too much
• Learn how to rest triggers
• Quit judging
• Learn CBT
• Learn DBT
• Be grateful
• Get back on Amitriptyline which has worked the best over last six years

Yes, I think some of what I write is redundant. I need to get a better grip on what is happening to me and how I need to proceed.

Does anyone know who teaches Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)? West Tennessee, Memphis, or Nashville?