Hello. I have been looking for a place with adults with SPD and I am so happy I found this place. I was diagnosed this year with SPD but I have suffered with "something" all my life. I was said to have a learning disability and suffered from chronic headaches, fatigue and stomach upset, sometimes severe, and anxiety. I have learned that too much light, sounds, and too much going on at once leads to these symptoms. I have been put on so many anti depressants and medications for anxiety but I have found no help. I was labeled as being depressed, which I never felt depressed or sad, just scared because I didn't know why I was feeling so miserable physically; I was said to have post traumatic stress disorder, bi-polar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. No drug or therapy session has helped. I struggle day to day with lights (especially sunlight), too many sounds at once or sudden loud sounds in a previously quiet setting, and trying to manage a 4 year old, household chores, finances, Bible Study, and accounting and novel writing classes. I don't mind having so much to do so long as I remind myself it doesn't all have to get done in one day. I like having a few things to do, just not too many. My biggest struggle is having a 4 year old who is curious, funny, loves movies and music. She likes to be loud and play dinosaurs and get the dog riled up. All these things I know aren't bad things, but to me, they make me miserable because the sound quickly becomes overwhelming and I get migraines frequently along with nausea and shortly after that if I can't lay down in a dark room, I start crying because it hurts so much and I just can't take anymore. I know outside of how I am feeling from SPD things are good and I love my family and my life. But I am struggling to manage the SPD symptoms. I know of a few things that help me, but sometimes it is not enough. I am looking for suggestions. I know the following help me:
1) getting enough sleep sometimes of up to 9 hours
2) taking at least a 30 minute nap at least once a day
3) doing Zumba or something aerobic (cleaning the whole house in a day) helps calm me down for long periods
4) singing also helps me and gives me somewhat relief but not for as long a period as aerobic exercise
5) Crying it out
6) Journaling helps but I go on forever about nothing sometimes, so I have go into writing stories. I have even thought of writing a book about my experiences with SPD.

Other than these things I don't know of much else to do. Some of these I can't do everyday though I probably really should.

Whew!! Wasn't planning on going of for that long. I hope to be able to make friends here and learn from others some things that have helped. This is one of those days I am feeling desperate. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

Hello MystikSkye, and welcome!!

I hope you find a lot of help here.

For me, the biggest thing that has helped was seeing an occupational therapist and getting a variety of coping mechanisms from them - the brushing protocol, weighted blankets, how to rearrange my day, etc.

I've found yoga useful, as well, for relaxing the body.

(10-13-2013, 09:31 PM)Rinne Wrote: Hello MystikSkye, and welcome!!

I hope you find a lot of help here.

For me, the biggest thing that has helped was seeing an occupational therapist and getting a variety of coping mechanisms from them - the brushing protocol, weighted blankets, how to rearrange my day, etc.

I've found yoga useful, as well, for relaxing the body.

Hi, Rinne,

Thanks for your reply. I have heard of seeing an occupational therapist but I have no idea on how to start seeing one. I am thinking I will probably need a referral. I don't know anything about the brushing protocol. I know weighted blankets help me a lot. I am having to rearrange my day as well. Still working on that one! I haven't had much guidance. The neurologist that diagnosed me said basically that there was help for kids with SPD but that there was not much they could do for adults. She recommended a book to read: Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight by Sharon Heller, Ph. D. Have you read it? I have marked several pages. Still going though the rest.

God bless,
MystikSkye

Your doctor should be able to refer you to one - there are OTs who help with adults with SPD and there is most definitely things that they can do. The brushing protocol is something that the OT teaches you. Maybe google to look up in your area, see whether you can find one who does work with adults with SPD?

I have got that book, it was an interesting read.