Today we are looking at a condition called, rejection sensitive dysphoria or RSD, this is a condition that my eldest daughter has been diagnosed with along with ADHD. This condition isn’t something I have ever heard of till now.
It is a condition that causes intense emotional pain when someone feels rejected, criticized, or fails.
People with RSD may avoid situations where they might fail or be rejected it can affect children, teens, and adults.
RSD is not an official medical diagnosis, but there are treatments that can help
Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Rejection can, and often does, provoke an emotional response in all of us. What marks RSD is that this response is inappropriate for the circumstance and can last for days or longer after the rejection. Symptoms of Rejection Sensitive dysphoria can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
Chronically low self-esteem
Inability or trouble containing emotions after being rejected – such as fits of anger or tears
Sudden drops into depression or anxiety, such as those typically hallmarked by bipolar
Avoidance of tasks, big or small, that could end in failure
People pleasing behaviour
Fear or apprehension of authority figures
Perfectionism or overcompensation for internal feelings of shortcomings
Isolating behaviours
Stage fright, fear of public speaking or social awkwardness even around friends and family
RSD can impact many aspects of life, including relationships, academics, and professional endeavours. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
Causes
Differences in brain structure that make it harder to regulate emotions and behaviours related to rejection
A deep-seated fear of negative judgment
A sense of falling short, failing to meet one’s own high standards or others’ expectations
Treatment is a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes. A big part is learning how to manage and cope with RSD can help people live fulfilling lives.
Hi everyone, this week we are looking at a condition that my eldest daughter told me about, it is called Process Delay Disorder. Has anyone heard of this?
What is it, well it’s a condition that makes it difficult for people to process information from their senses. This can include visual, auditory, or sensory information.
It is a time-relating characteristic that determines an amount of time during which a scheduled process or activity is stopped or idle. It is an unplanned extension in the process’s duration caused by some circumstances that impedes the process’s commencement or continuation.
The symptoms include.
Difficulty remembering new information
Difficulty following multi-step instructions
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy places
Difficulty completing math operations
Difficulty interacting with others
There are many things that could cause it, including.
Physical illness or injury
Lack of sleep
Reaction to medications
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Learning disorders
Emotional factors
Fewer neurotransmitters in the brain
Epilepsy
There’s no cure for auditory processing disorder, however, there is treatment.
When it comes to treatment, it seems something called auditory training, this means to undertake activities that will improve someone’s concentration and listening.
Reading regularly, is thought to help as reading exercises your brain muscles like any other muscle, and the more you read, the faster you might be able to process information.
Playing brain games, also help as there are many brain-training games and puzzles that can help improve your processing speed.
Processing disorders can affect a person’s ability to learn, work, and socialize. They can also lead to low self-esteem and anxiety.
This week we are looking at the treatment for bipolar disorder. There are two major parts to managing bipolar disorder: acute management and long-term management.
Treatment needs to be ongoing and tailored for each person.
You also need to remember that treatment for bipolar disorder needs to factor in any conditions you have such as anxiety or substance use disorder. Other medical illnesses such as hypertension, obesity and thyroid problems sometimes occur together with bipolar disorder.
Mental health practitioners need to work out your treatment according to whether you’re experiencing hypomania, mania, depression or euthymia (absence of depression or mania). A highly qualified mental health practitioner needs to prescribe your treatment. Each person needs a treatment plan tailored for their individual needs, as everyone with bipolar disorder experiences it differently.
Do not try to self-medicate or develop your own treatment plan.
Acute management aims to stabilise someone currently experiencing mania or depression.
Medications like mood stabilisers and antipsychotics are the main focus of acute management of bipolar mania and depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be effective for treatment-resistant acute mood episodes, especially in people experiencing depression with psychotic features.
Long-term management involves maintenance and prevention of relapse, and optimised functional recovery socially and at work. Medications and psychological and lifestyle approaches are aimed at providing long-term prevention of relapse, building resilience, and improving quality of life.
There are specially trained mental health professionals such as psychiatrists and psychologists who can help you with bipolar disorder
You need a thorough check from a health professional before treatment is prescribed and specially prescribed medication is the most effective way to treat and manage bipolar disorder. However, psychological and lifestyle therapies can be helpful additions to your treatment.
Some may experience ‘rapid cycling’ can go between depression and mania a few times a week (some even cycle within the same day). While others might have mood changes less often and less severely.
There are also some who can have very severe episodes of mania with psychotic symptoms (hallucinating or delusions) and need hospitalisation.
Some people can experience normal moods in between their swings, though the majority of individuals experience some low-level symptoms between episodes.
I had a so-so good night, woke at 11.30pm to pee, couldn’t settle so got up and used the powerfit at 12.30am then went back to bed and settled straight away.
It is a cool morning with the temp being 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.0.
Tim and I went to Aldi and to the Plaza this morning.
This arvo we attempted to set up the new sound system and after trying and trying I got fed up. We will try again tomorrow.
Tim taking in Jess’s black work pants they are to lose around the waist.
Steps: 9,652
I had another good night, sleeping straight through the night, it is a nice 19 degrees this morning my BGL was 5.1.
By 10am it was 27 degrees, and I turned the air con on.
Tried again to get the sound bar to work, tomorrow I will check out instructions on YouTube.
I went to bed at around 9pm but wasn’t able go to sleep so I got up at 9.30pm and stayed up for an hour. At 10.20pm Blain walked in looking for butter and shredded cheese, I gave him the cheese and a tub of margarine as the only butter I had was in the fridge rock hard.
10,108
After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up once at 3.40am to pee then straight back to sleep till my alarm went off.
As I have breakie it is a lovely 20 degrees, my BGL was 5.2 and I have the front and back sliding doors open.
Tim is at work; he will be home around 9am.
I turned the air con on at midday, around 1pm I got a headache and started to feel tired.
I went to bed at 8.50 but I was unable to settle so I got up at 9.30 and used the powerfit and update the diary entry
Steps: 9,408
After I went back to bed at 10.30pm I went straight off to sleep, getting up when the alarm went off.
When I took my tablets this morning it felt like one got stuck somewhere in my chest causing discomfort, but I can still eat and drink and hopefully the feeling I have will go away.
It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.8
I had a hot flush come over me, so I wet and applied the cooling towel it makes a big difference.
I turned the air con on at 9am just as Tim was getting home, the way he said are you hot annoyed me, yeah, I’m hot, why because it is 27 degrees.
New Year’s Day
I had a good night, and this morning I am doing ok, had my shower and I am now dressed and fed and ready for my day.
It is 17 degrees and my BGL was 5.1
It has been a stinking hot day. The temp reached 35 degrees.
Tim hung the framed photos gave us for Christmas, I need to buy a few more photo frames.
At 7pm because A Current Affair wasn’t on Tim put a movie on without asking me if it was ok, when I asked why he did that he got really pissed. I explained we normally watch something we are both interested in between 7 & 8pm. He started going that he is always watching my shows, which is wrong he may tell me to pick but I always pick something I know he is interested in, when I said that he naturally got even more pissed. Tim is a sulker and won’t talk to me when in a mood, so that’s fine I will not talk to him either. By the time I went to bed at 8.15pm he was over it.
Steps:4,908
Another good night I don’t remember waking at all. It is a much cooler morning temp is 22 degrees, but the wind makes it feel colder. It is only expected to get to 23 degrees today. My BGL was 5.3
I am warm then cold and then warm again and now cold again, it is 3.45pm and I am feeling so tired and drained.
Tim said he could take me to my appointment tomorrow, but I told him I would rather Sue take me as she doesn’t make me feel like I am putting her out when I ask to go somewhere else while out. Tim said he doesn’t mean to make me feel like that which I know but still he does.
So, 7.30pm rolls around and I go to tell Tim thinking he was either out the back or in his office but couldn’t find him. So, I started watching some dashcam clips on YouTube and he walks in at 8.20, he was at the neighbour’s place. I knew he was going to check on Kevin, but I was sure I had seen him come back.
Steps:7,311
I had a reasonable night; I woke up two or three times but each time I went straight back to sleep.
It is a lovely morning the temp is 20 degrees, and I have both sliding doors opened. My BGL was 5.0
Sue came and took me to the podiatrist, and we also posted off all the mail I had ready to be sent and we also went Miller’s to get a couple of tarts, caramel for me and a custard for Sue, only to find them closed.
This afternoon Tim replaced the light bulbs in both the front and back outside lights these lights haven’t worked in around 20yrs and now they do.
Didn’t count my steps today
I had another good night, sleeping straight through. It is a pleasant 19 degrees here although we are in for another pretty hot day.
I walked up and checked the mail yesterday arvo and a neighbour was there who told me there was no mail. I thought just because you have no mail doesn’t mean I won’t. Anyway, I open my mailbox and there were 10 letters in it, 8 for me and 2 for Jess.
I am sitting here at the computer, and I am starting to feel cold, I look at the temp and it has dropped to 16 degrees, time to get up and shut the front door.
Around 2pm my nephew Dawson arrived, he left around 5pm, while he was here, he managed to get the sound bar working.
It has been another hot day with the temp reaching 29 degrees.
Good morning, all this week we are having a brief look at bipolar disorder, a condition I expect most have heard of but how many know anything about it, I know bugga all.
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. It is also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression. It usually requires lifelong treatment and does not go away on its own.
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but a combination of factors may contribute to its onset and how it progresses.
These include genetics as it often runs in families, the way a person’s brain functions as well as its structure as people with the disorder may have a different structure to those without it. The chemicals in our brains are involved in psychiatric disorders as an abnormal functioning of brain circuits that involve serotonin may contribute to bipolar disorder.
Of course, drinking alcohol or using some recreational drugs are believed to increase your risk of developing bipolar disorder.
Then there are environmental factors meaning things that are considered an adverse or life-altering event, such as bereavement, violence, or the breakdown of a relationship, can trigger or exacerbate symptoms.
The condition has many symptoms that include the following
Overwhelming sadness
Low energy and fatigue
Lack of motivation
Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Uncontrollable crying
Thoughts of death or suicide
Treatment includes medication such as mood stabilising drugs, antipsychotic and antidepressant medications, psychological therapy and some lifestyle changes may be called for.
This is a condition that requires lifelong treatment and is complicated and often will involve many assessments sometimes with different doctors in order to be diagnosed. There are no blood tests that will diagnose it, nor is there any medical or brain scans that will make a diagnosis easy.
I had a good night slept straight through up with the alarm at 5am, it is 23 degrees my BGL was 5.3 and I am feeling great.
I had to have a nap between 11.30 & 1pm as I was falling asleep while sitting in my armchair.
Tim did crumb lamb chops and veggies for our lunch, it was really nice.
No steps today, I forgot to put my counter on.
I changed the sheets on my own despite the knee problems I am having.
I had a good night slept straight through up with the alarm at 5am, it is a pleasant 20 degrees, my BGL is 5.5.
I had to change from shorts to longer pants for around 3hrs then I changed back into shorts.
It is a cool overcast day, I walked down and posted of a stack of letters and Christmas Cards.
I went to bed at 8.30pm settled fast, woke at 10.15pm due to a hot flush, couldn’t settle again was just too restless so I go up and used the powerfit now I am just doing a couple of things on the computer before I go back to bed.
Steps:10,971
After I went back to bed at midnight, I slept well till the alarm went off at 5am, I would have loved to stay in bed longer but that would throw out my day.
It is 21 degrees and my BGL is 5.0
Not as hot today, my upper body is constantly moving, and it is so frustrating.
I walked down and post off a heap more Christmas cards.
I have had very little issue with my left knee today.
Steps: 4,571
A pretty good night, I don’t remember waking at all last night, it is 18 degrees this morning, my BGL is 5.5 and even though I am up, showered, dress and doing stuff I don’t feel that with it.
When I returned from seeing Sam off this morning, I found 2 cockatoos in my lounge room eating birdseed out of the bag, after they flew off, I cleaned up the mess they made. Well, I was sitting at the computer when I heard a noise and turned to find a cockatoo eating birdseed straight out of the bag again.
This afternoon we received a new TV, this is Jessica’s Christmas present to me and Tim.
Steps: 7,780
A pretty good night, I don’t remember waking at all last night, it is 18 degrees this morning, my BGL is 6.5, I wonder why it is so high.
After I did the washing and hung it up to dry, I was drenched in sweat, checked the temp and it was 27 degrees so turned the air con on.
By 3pm I was feeling really drained of energy and very tired, but I am sticking it out to at least 8pm before going to bed.
Steps:5,290
I had a shocking night woke at 11.50pm needing to go to the toilet, then for the next 3.5hrs I was unable to settle. I may need a nap today.
It is 21 degrees at 5.30am and we are looking at a top temp of 30 degrees. My BGL was 4.3, which is better than I expected as I woke with hunger pains.
I asked Sue if she would take me shopping and to drop some Chrissie Pressies off for Tom’s girls and Samantha’s kids and she was happy to do that for me.
Damn it is a stinking hot day at midday it was 32 degrees.
Steps: 4,522
I had a god night slept straight through but when I woke at 5am, I went to the loo and took my tablets and found myself just standing there trying to keep my eyes open, so I went back to bed for another hour.
It is 22 degrees and my BGL is 5.0
This afternoon Kathy and family came over and Michael helped Tim install the air con in the bedroom.
I asked Kathy is she could hand deliver some things to Kelli as she lives closer than us, she said she would.
I had a great night, slept straight through, got up and had my shower and got dressed for the day.
Another hot day here had to turn the air con on around 2pm.
Kathy came over for a visit she was on her own, I asked her to change the sheets on my bed before she left which was much quicker than if I did it on my own.
I am not in a very happy mood today, don’t know why.
It is 11.20pm, I went to bed at 8.30 pretty much straight to sleep for an hour, when I had to pee, back to bed a back to sleep till 10.25 when I had to pee again had trouble get back to sleep then at 11.10, I had to pee again when I went back to bed the uncontrollable moving start so after 10 minutes I got up to use the powerfit and will sit up for half an hour before returning to bed and hopefully to sleep.
Steps: 10,209
I had a not so good night; I am starting this at 12.10am.
After returning to bed, I settled down and slept for 2hrs before needing to pee again, then back to sleep for another 1.5hrs till the alarm went off.
It is 18 degrees and my BGL is 5.0
I turned the air con on at 11.15am, when the temp reached 27 degrees.
I am so exhausted this afternoon; I am also drenched in sweat.
Steps: 8,488
A good night sleep went to bed at 8.30 and slept through till the alarm went off.
It is 18 degrees and my BGL is 5.0
Another very hot day with a top temp of 32 degrees.
Tasha was supposed to go to the shops for me but she didn’t so I asked Sue if she could take me down the road tomorrow, she said she would.
Tim is stressing out over how his diabetes is going to affect his driving authority. I told him worrying about it will not achieve anything and may make things worse.
Steps: 8,254
I slept well, Tim was already up when I got up, he said he had been up since unable to sleep.
Around 6am we had no water, it returned around 7.30am. it was 21 degrees at 6am and my BGL was 5.1.
Sue arrived just after 8am to take me to the shops, she said that Tasha rang her at 6.30 asking if she could go to Sue’s place for a shower before Sue drove4 her into the Tafe. Sue said she could.
By the time we had finished shopping and went back to the car it was stinking hot, we had been at the shops about an hour. I realised after I got home that I forgot to go to the post office, oh well I will do it later.
My walker isn’t the best with one wonky wheel that makes me worry it will come off and I will end up either falling over or becoming stuck while walking to and from the post box to post my letters off. So Tim suggested I swap to the old one that is out the back after some thought I agreed so Tim went and got it and it needed hosing off and there was a red back spider in the compartment under the seat. I suggested we swap the seat and the compartment under it around which is what we did. So, I will see how things go.
Steps: 7,156
Slept straight through the night again, woke up feeling heavy headed but that will pass, it is currently 22degrees and my BGL was 4.9
It was raining when I went up with Sam to meet the transport, but I had my red rain poncho on so all ok. It is very humid, and I had to turn the air con on as I was dripping in sweat while hanging the washing on the clothes hoists to dry. It is now 9.30am and 27 degrees.
By around 10.30 I was able to turn the air con off, but I left the doors closed and curtain drawn which kept the house cool enough.
This afternoon I was cleaning the sliding glass doors so I can put my Christmas decorations on them and slipped my thongs on to walk outside. However, as I have a habit of not always picking my feet up when I walk, I stumbled twice in them and once due to my feet being so sweaty so three times in all. So, when I went to meet Sam, I put on some thin stocking socks and walked up shoeless, thus being much more stable.
Steps: 6,761
Slept straight through the night again, woke up feeling heavy headed but that will pass, it is currently 22degrees and my BGL was 4.9
It is a lovely cool morning, I, slept all, I got up once to pee but straight back to sleep.
At 5.30am it was 20 degrees and my BGL was 4.8.
The top temp was only 24 degrees, but it has been a very humid day.
I had just ironed Tim’s work shirts and was just sitting at the computer when I started to feel off, I tested my blood it was 3.2. So, I got up and walked into the kitchen for food, I hadn’t had lunch yet. I quickly realised I was not right; I don’t know how long I stood in the kitchen just not with it. I walked back into the lounge room and picked up the phone and just looked at it for a bit before I rang Tasha. She came straight down and dished up my fruit I was having for lunch, topped up my drink watched me eat a bit. When I started to look better, she left. I was fine after I ate.
I even managed to put Christmas decorations on the sliding
Ok here were with that list of things that are supposed to help with insomnia, how many of then actually help I do not know
Create a sleep-friendly bedroom: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. You can use curtains, blinds, an eye mask, or ear plugs. Yes, I sleep in such a room
Stick to a sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Yes, I do that as well
Avoid electronics before bed: The light from TVs and smartphones can disrupt your sleep cycle. Yep, do this too
Exercise regularly: Try to get at least 5 to 6 hours of physical activity during the day. No bloody way I am that active during the day
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol: These substances can make it harder to sleep. Can’t say I do this, but I don’t have a lot of caffeine
Avoid naps: Naps, especially in the afternoon, can make it harder to fall asleep at night. I get this but sometimes I am so tired I have to close my eyes for a bit
Relax before bed: Try reading a book, listening to music, or taking a bath. Nope don’t do any of these things
Manage stress: Try writing down your worries before bed. I generally just hand my worries over to God when I go to bed
Check your medications: Some medications can contribute to insomnia. I am on top of this, and not an issue with me
Try relaxation techniques: Try meditation, imagery, or muscle relaxation. Yeah, I often meditate when going to bed
Use magnesium: Magnesium can help muscles relax and relieve stress. I do take magnesium
Try massage: You can try self-massage or have a partner or friend give you a massage. Nope never tried this
Get out of bed if you can’t sleep: If you can’t fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something non-stimulating until you feel drowsy. Yes, I do this as well
Had a good night, Tim came to bed at around 4am I remember him saying he had only been home an hour, that was a long day.
It is supposed to be 29 degrees today at the moment it is 16 degrees and my BGL was 4.8
Kathy and family arrived around midday, Tasha had asked Michael if he could come and put the new TV on the wall for her.
Sue sent me a message asking who the two girls on the calendar for November she thought they were her granddaughters and yes, they are but it was upsetting that she had to ask.
Steps:8,885
Had a good night once I settled down and slept till the alarm went off, a warm start to the day has both front and back doors opened. It is 23 degrees and my BGL is 5.0 at 6am
It is the type of morning that makes one want to stay in bed, but of course I am up showered, dressed and doing stuff. It isn’t warm nor is it cold but if shut the doors I will get hot but with them open I feel a chill.
I walked down and posted some letters off just before Sam arrived home, not long after returning home it started to rain and there was some thunder. It didn’t rain for much and only a little thunder.
Steps: 6,642
Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm got up once to pee and straight back to sleep till the alarm went off. I woke feeling unwell
It is 19 degrees and my BL was 5.0
No school for Sam today due to a doctor’s appointment.
It has been a cool day, I have not felt good all day, I ache all over and just feel unwell.
It is 6.30pm and I am ready for bed but will try and stay awake till 8.30pm.
Steps: 8,486
Had an early night last night was in bed by 8.30pm slept straight through to the alarm went at 5am.
It is 19 degrees at 6am and my BGL is 4.8. I am feeling great this morning and so happy that I am able to do stuff this morning.
A nice day morning but a bloody hot arvo. I turned the air con on around 12.30.
I walked up to meet Sam, and the heat drained me and left me exhausted.
Steps:8,882
I overslept this morning didn’t hear the alarm, turned out I l left my phone in the lounge-room. I woke up when Tim was getting up. So, it was only 15 minutes after my get out of bed I, slept all night.
I am dressed in shorts and have both front and back sliding doors open, it is a nice 20 degrees and my BGL was 5.0.
The temp reached 32 degrees, when it was time to go meet Sam it started pissing down, I was pleased when Jess rang and said she would go meet Sam. She called in sick due to a really bad headache.
Steps: 8,257
Another good night don’t remember getting up at all, it’s wet outside but not raining at this time. It is 17 degrees and is supposed to get as high as 29 degrees. My BGL was 4.8
By 8.30 it was 22 degrees
The calendars came for next year they are A3 size so much bigger than this years but that is good this year is too small for my liking.
I got my Christmas cards out and over the next week or so will make a start on them.
I am having a restless night.
Steps:12,542
After six good nights, I had a rotten night, I got only between 1 and 1.5hrs of sleep, I didn’t even dose I was awake. I got up a couple of times, I used the powerfit which helped settled the movement part down. When I was in bed there wasn’t much tossing and turning, mostly I just laid there at 4.30am I needed to pee, so I got up and stayed up. I had a shower and shaved my legs, applied moisturiser to my legs, arms, chest and face. It is 19 degrees and my BGL was 4.7
I was not good when we went to the shops around 1pm I had a 1hr nap and felt better after that.
By 6pm though I started to feel not the best again.
This week I thought we would take a look at something I am thankfully I don’t suffer from, although there have been times when I felt like I do suffer from it. The condition is insomnia.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, even when you have the time and environment to sleep well. It can cause you to wake up too early or not feel refreshed when you wake up. Insomnia can affect your mood, energy levels, and daily activities.
Insomnia can be caused by stress, physical ailments, mental health problems, or poor sleep habits.
It can affect people of all ages, but teens may be especially susceptible.
In most cases it is related to poor sleeping habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness or certain medication.
Symptoms may include difficulty falling or staying asleep and not feeling well-rested.
Treatment for insomnia consists of improving sleep habits, behaviour therapy and identifying and treating underlying causes. Sleeping pills may also be used but should be monitored for side effects.
It seems that more women than men have insomnia in the United States, more than one in four women experience insomnia, compared with fewer than one in five men.
Also, a study found that women of all ages reported worse sleep quality than men.
Women are twice as likely to have insomnia than men.
This may be due to hormonal changes that women have during menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause can cause or contribute to sleep difficulties. There are also physical symptoms that many women deal with during these times such as cramps or night sweats, that disrupt sleep.
Caffeine can cause insomnia, especially if consumed in large amounts or close to bedtime, a study found that 400 mg of caffeine taken up to 6 hours before bed can significantly disrupt sleep, reducing it by more than an hour.
Caffeine can disrupt your natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to get quality sleep.
People with chronic insomnia may use caffeine to cope with daytime sleep deprivation, which can worsen insomnia at night.
The exact effects of caffeine depend on the dose and an individual’s sensitivity.
To minimize the risk of insomnia, it’s generally recommended to avoid caffeine in the hours before bed. People who regularly drink caffeine may be able to tolerate it better than those who don’t.
Next week I will post the list of things that so called experts suggest to help with insomnia.
Jo-AnneRamplings 