It is important for anyone diagnosed with FND to be able to support themselves as much as possible. Health services for FND patients have improved and increased, however, they are not there 24/7 and the more you can do to look after your own health the better in the long run. Here are a few ideas to think about:
Grounding Techniques
Grounding techniques are used to distract the symptoms of FND by concentrating on something else and usually involves the use of our senses.
If you follow the suggestions in the image to the right, they may well help:
Pacing
Pacing is about having a planned approached to any activity you are undertaking. It’s about listening to your body and taking note of when it’s time to stop and rest. It is very easy on a day when you are feeling healthy to over do things, however, this can lead to ‘boom and bust’ which you need to avoid.
One method often is used is called the ‘Spoon Theory’ which is all about recognising you only have so much energy and it need to be used wisely.
The image to the right explains the idea:
Mindfulness Training
Mindfulness is a special form of awareness that arises when we focus our attention on our senses, emotions and thoughts occurring in the present moment in an accepting and non-judgemental way. We can practice mindfulness in different ways: by using our senses to experience what surrounds us, by bringing our attention to our breath and by observing, noticing and labelling our thoughts and emotions happening in the present moment.
Mindfulness helps us to shift from being on an automatic pilot to a mindful awareness, to calm our nervous system, reduce the fight/flight/freeze response, to live our lives more in the present and, ultimately, to use our mind for our benefit.
We can use our minds and bodies for our benefit, we just need to learn how to do so. In the “Mindfulness for positive self-coaching” course that I am running with FND Dimensions, I will be sharing with you mindfulness and some CBT theory and practical exercises that you can use on your day to day basis to better manage your FND symptoms and challenging emotions.
One of my main motivations is to learn and share the different techniques and ways in which we can use our mind and body for our own benefit.
My practice aims to empower the individual to be proactive on promoting and supporting her/his/their own mental and physical well-being.
Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to find out more information about courses and 1:1 sessions (irenerouragarcia@gmail.com). I look forward to meeting you soon :).
Youtube video is below provided by our Mindfulness tutor: