Claritan,
I know how you feel. I still do get symptoms when I am exposed to too much stimuli for too long. I have learned I have about 2-3 hours of being exposed to other people, environments etc. after that I get really fatigued and feel like my brain just shuts off. Just having conversations with others is hard to do for very long. I think our brains are still stressed. I also think we have fear of others seeing just how defenseless we can be when we are in these vulnerable states. Our experience with family and friends tells us that they do not understand and take our behavior as something that is directed at them. How could they understand? It is hard for us to understand. I think the letter to family, friends is a good idea. I have my last session of neuropsychological testing on Wednesday and then she will talk to my family. I am hoping that the neuropsychologist will be able to explain to them what is going on. I realize that this is just the way things are now for me. I am able to do things on the limited 2-3 hour time scale. I think we are going to have to adjust to where we are and learn how to live within the restrictions that our bodies are putting on us. I have learned over and over again that if I push these boundaries and force myself to withstand then I crash hard for days, weeks. If I stay within the boundaries then I can still at least have friends and see family members. I sympathize with you and with all of us. This is a hard, life-changing situation we have all been through. We are struggling to cope and re-enter life after being M.I.A for so long.
Thank goodness we have the support of each other.
Brain