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!