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Originally Posted by DannyT
Does anyone else experience difficulty having long conversations (20min+)? I find that if they are emotionally related or having to do with important or stressful topics, I will become overstimulated rather easily. It really bothers me because these are usually therapists or family members that I am talking with and they are supposed to help.
I am tempted to stop engaging in conversations altogether but this just doesn't come natural to me. I've always been a conversationalist and prided myself on my ability to use the English language. I guess that's another skill that I have lost.
Anyone else struggle with this or have any advice? These conversations generally involve me explaining my situation for continuous amounts of time before getting a response. Perhaps it's the process of searching for the information in my brain and then processing it verbally which causes problems.
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Hi Danny,
I often have great difficulty with lengthy conversations. Yes, it's more taxing to me, too, if the content is emotional in nature, or stressful topics in general.
I, too, was a conversationalist and did a fair amount of public speaking. Carrying on conversations day and night was not a problem at all. However, now I often feel overwhelmed, irritable, sometimes almost dizzy and cannot end the conversation fast enough once symptoms start, including headaches. I lose track of the conversation at this point because my focus has turned to immediately "escaping" any further stress.
Yesterday, my sister wanted to meet for lunch. I told her I could meet her, yet the meeting place had to be a quiet place. I'd suggested she come to my home for lunch; she really wanted to go out. We knew some of the places to avoid, yet still entered 3 cafés and left due to the very high noise level. We had settled on a place with a moderate noise level. It was still too much noise!
I do not understand why these dining establishments have music turned up so loudly, many people have to shout across the table to one another. I watch other people and they have difficulties hearing one another. I am hearing it all -- and ready to drop or run.
I used to call friends and extended family on a regular basis, in order to stay in touch. I cannot do this very often since my injuries. I cannot listen and process the conversation for very long. If people don't respond to the limits I have to set on time, then I just cannot get into a conversation.
I found it most helpful to give family/friends an article or other literature which helped to explain my challenges. They then can read the information when they have time and can concentrate. I have also had to write letters, explaining my needs if I could not find information already written.
I am just getting back to writing a bit more coherently.
It's been over 2 years for me. I sometimes fear these are some permanent changes for me. I am not sure of what to expect at this point and I try to not think about it.
I hope you are having a good day, Danny.
DejaVu