[an_also]

Hi Mark, I've heard you write a bit about stringing together consecutive days without over-stimulation/ relapse. Can you explain a bit about how that is done.

What counts as a "low-stimulation day"? Is it minimal symptoms? No symptoms? No worsening symptoms?

I'm trying to string together a lot of good days and I"m just trying to see what a 'good day' consists of.

thanks

[Mark in Idaho]

I would expect you know when you have a good day and when your day goes bad. The point is simple. Just because you are having a good day does not mean you can increase your activity and stimulation level.

It is not uncommon for someone to say, I was having a good day so I went to the mall for 2 hours. They next day, they crash and complain.

If you can have good days when your activity levels have been a 5 out of 10 and your stimulation levels have been a 5 out of 10, then, limit your increased activity and stimulation to a 6.

5 out of 10 is a relative number that everyone needs to figure out for themselves. There is no universal formula.

For me, I learned to notice changes. If I was at a store or a restaurant, I might start to get confused as I try to read a label or sign or menu. This told me that I should not stay long. If I was on my computer, I might need to reread a line of text a few times to make sense of it. This meant I needed to take a break from reading.

If you have activities and tasks that you have to get done, then there may be a price to pay. I learned to prioritize. Not everything needs to get done. The house does not need to be spotless, just clean.

Everybody needs to find their signs that they are hitting their limit. I have found that most have similar signs. They have just not taken the time to notice so they push into these signs and make things worse.

Our lives changed. Expecting to live as if they have not is counter-productive. We may never be able to spend all day at the mall again or work a 12 hour day. Not everything is fixable for everybody.

So, try to find the level of stimulation and activity that can be maintained for weeks. Then, someday, you will realize, Ah ha, I spent 2 hours on the phone and did not crash. Improvements tend to sneak up on us when we give them a chance.

[Bud]

I might add this.

Observing signs is vital to our management of pcs crap but DO NOT allow yourself to become obsessed with hunting for signs nor fear them.

Just learn to be aware of yourself and use that skill to manage yourself.

Bud

[an_also]

Thanks for your detailed answer.

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

So, try to find the level of stimulation and activity that can be maintained for weeks. Then, someday, you will realize, Ah ha, I spent 2 hours on the phone and did not crash. Improvements tend to sneak up on us when we give them a chance.

Yes, this is something i'm shooting for. I'm trying to find the right things to keep me occupied without getting a relapse/setback. I'm also trying not to try and look for symptoms as i have a tendency to do that.

So just to recap, what you're saying is as long as living day to day were i'm not getting any major symptoms is a good day?

For example, what if you end up getting a headache for an hour or a dizzy spell lasting 15 mins. Is that the end of the "good days" streak or is that still minor enough to be considered part of the good day?

[Mark in Idaho]

That is nothing to worry about other than to look for a possible triggering activity. Headaches can be totally random so there is not always a trigger. But, dizziness tends to be tied to a trigger, at least in my experience. Dizziness can also be entirely anxiety.

As Bud says, Don't look for symptoms. Just be aware enough to notice, "I read that line 3 times, maybe I need to take a break."

And, if you break your streak of good days, don't fret, That streak of good days was still good for your brain. You did not negate its value. Don't keep count....

[Bud]

AA,

I'll ask you a question I challenge myself with....why is it a bad day if it is less than our concept of ideal?

Instead of being down that you had a headache be up that it didn't last all day.

I'm no expert at such things but I have found it helps.

Bud