Stress-induced neurological symptoms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here have stressed induce neurological symptoms?

Until yesterday, I had no idea this was a thing. It started with being unable to speak, then unable to write, then inability to stop nodding, then rapid eye blinking while in a catatonic state.

The symptoms would stop or reduce if I did meditative breathing or tried to nap and they would escalate under additional stress (like the catatonia happened while checking in, stopped when I got calm, and returned while the examining physician was talking about my symptoms.)

Just to rule things out, they did various neurological exams which were all clear, thank goodness


I had no idea anxiety / extreme insomnia could do this. I’d been seeing a psychiatrist / was being monitored because I new things weren’t good, but they escalated rapidly.

First thing is what medications and drugs do you use?
Also, is there any family history of this sort of thing?

[Anonymous]

Are you dissociating when this occurs?

[Anonymous]

Not those exact symptoms but yes, this has happened to me. Lack of sleep is such a big trigger. I've described it to my doctor as my brain "going on the fritz." Like a TV that only gets static. The older I get the more impacted I am by lack of sleep.

Daily exercise and some kind of relaxation or meditation practice helps me the most, because they help with the stress and also help me sleep better. I do a nightly yoga practice right before bed that is hugely helpful. It's on Youtube, I recommend it: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0v0k7UCVrngDE2PN5WOc8hzwYhAb2U9

I like doing it in order but you can also just pick one at random. The yoga is very gentle and easy, it's about relaxation and reducing physical and mental tension before you go to bed.

Also vigorous exercise during the day helps a lot, something that really gets you breaking a sweat and elevates your heart rate. I live weights and play tennis. I like tennis because it really consumes my brain while I'm playing, so it functions as a kind of mindfulness where I'm very focused on the present moment and what is happening in the game, at the same time that I am very tuned into my body.

Obviously reducing screens and exposure to stress-induing apps (news, social media are the big ones for me) also helps, but my job requires a certain amount of engagement with both so I can only reduce so much. But I try to avoid it entirely in my private life and just restrict it to work.

[Anonymous]

Op here - I was on Concerta (since stopped) and omeprazole. Similar drugs can interact.

I had a maternal aunt who had bipolar II / symptoms didn’t show up until later in her life.

I don’t know whether I dissociated or not. The two bad episodes were both probably in the range of 10-20 seconds long and indefinitely was aware of feeling very foggy when they were talking to me during those, and maybe a little bit like I was watching - but (for instance) when my husband lifted my eyelids during the first episode I was thinking “that feels really annoying.”

The prior day I had a moment packing my daughter’s lunch when all of a sudden I felt like I’d been day dreaming and just kind of out of it; and I momentarily couldn’t remember where we kept the peanut butter. Except for the physical response the whole thing feels a ton like when I had a concussion years ago.

I am pretty much myself now after a lot of sleep, but still very tired.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you manic right now?

[Anonymous]

Op here - no - I felt manic (and told my doctor) about a week ago when I wasn’t sleeping. I have a check in with my doctor tomorrow. I’m not in DC so it’s still early here but going to bed soon. I’ve just been really worn out but that’s to be expected - I went through a lot, I stopped Concerta, and I’ve been taking meds to help me sleep. (I was prescribed something else that wasn’t available until today and looks potentially stronger than what I want so I’ve been using Benadryl at night).