A Revelation

In the last month or so, S and I have been visiting a psychologist to help us get a handle on how to give our family the best care.  Having a person who is trained to know how 'invisible' disabilities wear on families has been invaluable.  From explaining what executive brain function is to reiterating how extremely important good sleep is for the body, she has been an excellent resource for our family.

One thing that I didn't see coming, but probably should have, is that I have some of the same struggles Buddy does, but to a lesser degree.  Buddy, as we're finding out more and more almost weekly (as we go to different appointments and see more specialists) has both OCD and Sensory Processing Disorder (or SPD for short).  Both of these are anxiety disorders, so that means his little brain and body are under constant barrage from things that cause anxiety and stress on him. 

Me, I have a lesser form of SPD, or at least, that is what we're thinking at this point. Our psyc. talked about symptoms in adults, and asked many questions about my childhood. There are so many puzzle pieces that fall into place, that it is crazy. I am going to be visiting an occupational therapist to either confirm or debunk the tentative diagnosis. We're hoping that she'll also have some practical advice on how to stave off some of my almost-ever-present anxiety. 

Backing up, it's amazing that we missed it. Maybe we've not been able to see the forest for the trees. Or maybe even the bark got in the way of seeing a tree! 

Now, I'm taking steps to know when my body is regulated and practice more and more to keep it there.  One way of looking at SPD is this:  imagine you are at a rock concert that is louder than loud.  Next, imagine your friend next to you is whispering to try and tell you some crucial piece of information. ...The rock concert is sensory input and the friend whispering is tasks you are supposed to be doing, or even a conversation you are supposed to be engaging in.  If you could turn down the concert, you'd easily be able to understand what it is your friend is saying.  The task, though, becomes figuring out either how to turn down the concert OR interpret what the friend is saying in spite of the noise...or sometimes, even both.

It's a challenge, but I am so grateful that we've been made aware of it and can actually find the sound dials to turn down, turn off, or ignore the overwhelmingness of the 'concert'.

Have you had any revelations lately?

XO,
J

Soli Deo Gloria