Hi Gang,

I'm Rachel, and I was diagnosed with SPD three weeks ago at age 27. While it was somewhat of a shock, it finally explained my "quirks" over the course of my life. At age 14, I was misdiagnosed with Panic Disorder, not surprising as the jumble of sensory input can - and did - cause great anxiety. It didn't help that I grew up in NYC, and still live here to this day.

Until my diagnosis and the begining of my OT treatment, my days were anxiety-ridden blurs of avoidance and frustration. I couldn't pinpoint just why I needed to cry multiple times after folding myself back into the safety of my apartment each night, or why I needed to bury myself under five blankets to sleep. For me, sights and sounds seem to battle one another painfully (too loud! too bright!), my balance is pretty bad, and I crave touching soft objects.

Since starting OT (and brushing, my first SPD exercise), I have stopped crying nearly altogether, and I no longer feel that same press of anxiety or agitation. I've also been sleeping better, and feel less of an urge to pet every dog/cat/soft coat/couch that comes my way.

The wonderful host of this site has gotten me even more involved now, and I thank him for taking the time to train me up in SPD-ese. He's been an awesome source of support during the past few weeks.

I am currently a graduate student at Yeshiva University, pursuing my MA in Mental Health Counseling. As such, I am interested in helping others, and have been keeping a blog since my diagnosis about the trials, tribulations, and joy of the diagnosis and beyond. I hope you find me at: comingtosenses.blogspot.com.

Also in the realm of supporting the SPD cause and in anticipation of Sensory Awareness Month, my graphic artist boyfriend has begun a line of SPD gear designed to encourage us SPDers and those who love us to "come out" and share our condition with others. You can find his work at:

http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_t...1436631770


http://www.zazzle.com/someone_i_love_has...8360767326

http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_b...3012811405

http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_h...4328057673

I look forward to getting even more involved on this site, and wish you all the best

Rachel/GreenEyedRach[/font]

Hi Rachel
Welcome to SPD International. Please excuse my being late to respond to you here, lol.

(09-13-2010, 11:57 AM)GreenEyedRach Wrote: It didn't help that I grew up in NYC, and still live here to this day.

Well, this is something I've actually wondered about myself. I live in a small town (by comparison), but have always wondered whether or not I would truly be better off in an even more rural community. Sure, we don't filter sensory input like most, but is there something to our getting used to our routines and our environments, at least to some degree? For instance, I can assume you would be much better equipped to handle NYC than I would. Likewise, I would be much better at handling Ypsilanti, MI than an SPD person from the northern, very rural part of the state would be.

Either way though, NYC would be way too much for me, and I wouldn't want to live there.

Quote:(too loud! too bright!)

Too Fast, Too Tight? You have read that book before, right? If not I think that would be a good read for you. Even though I wish there was a little more to it, it is a good start.

Quote:Since starting OT (and brushing, my first SPD exercise), I have stopped crying nearly altogether, and I no longer feel that same press of anxiety or agitation. I've also been sleeping better, and feel less of an urge to pet every dog/cat/soft coat/couch that comes my way.

You know I get this, and I just wanted to remind you of how happy I am you are finally getting the help you have badly needed for all of these years!

Quote:The wonderful host of this site has gotten me even more involved now, and I thank him for taking the time to train me up in SPD-ese. He's been an awesome source of support during the past few weeks.

Oh, who is this again?
No, believe me, it is well reciprocated. You are so passionate about this; I love it! I have really enjoyed our emails back and forth, and can't wait to see you even more active around the site. Also remember to swing by the chat room at any time. That shouldn't be such a secret! I want people to be able to find it.

Quote:I am currently a graduate student at Yeshiva University, pursuing my MA in Mental Health Counseling.

I believe this position fits you quite well, and know you will do an excellent job with it. Any interest in focusing on adults with SPD and other invisible neurological disabilities? I used to call it 'sensory based therapy,' where the first goal is getting patients to realize that they are important and that their issues are not all in their heads. LOL, seems like a good start to me.

Quote:As such, I am interested in helping others, and have been keeping a blog since my diagnosis about the trials, tribulations, and joy of the diagnosis and beyond. I hope you find me at: comingtosenses.blogspot.com.

Thought I'd help you out and make that into a link .

Quote:http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_t...1436631770
http://www.zazzle.com/someone_i_love_has...8360767326
http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_b...3012811405
http://www.zazzle.com/spd_senses_fight_h...4328057673

These are all so awesome! Thanks for posting the links here. Did not know about the button; that one must be new.

Well Rachel, again, welcome to the site. I hope you enjoy your time here and get to really know people very well. There are a lot of supportive people I have found in the SPD community, and some of them are on this site. Others, I am still trying to round up and bring over, lol.

Hi! *waves* I read your post earlier today, but I'm running late on answering. (blush) Nice to meet you! I know what you mean about the city; I lived in Baton Rouge (not nearly so big, but still...), and that was really difficult after living in the country. But there are so many aspects of city living that I miss. Oh, well. I like the sound of your major. I wonder how many people with SPD are more able to understand and help people with mental health issues. Just a personal theory of my own.

I like the sensory art! It's pretty cool to think of them that way; I'll have to remember it. And hey, a great way to raise awareness! Thanks for sharing that.

I am a city girl. The sensory change to farm land is upsetting to me. The sensory change to forests are comforting to me though.

That said, I was recently in NYC in Times Square at night. Both my husband and I had sensory meltdowns. My husband has only mild sensory issues (he rarely notices them), but both of us went down hard in Times Square. He stayed rational long enough to get me to a less bright area so that I could function again.

I also had problems with Claustrophobia in NYC in some of the buildings too tight corridors, when I had to turn a scooter around several times (hate 8 point turns).