Really losing it here and could use your help...
For many years I've experienced intense depression, confusion, and sometimes agitation after exercise. There is more and more evidence that these are conditioned responses but I still have a little doubt that I am trying to work through.
Since embracing the TMS diagnosis, self-soothing, meditation, leaning into the fear, etc I've had a lot of improvement but for the last couple of weeks my reactions have steadily gotten worse in response to slowly increasing the intensity of the exercise. I've reached my breaking point and don't know quite how to proceed.
In the past when I've gotten to this point I've always given up because of the severity of the symptoms. On one hand I can't keep doing this to myself with exercise on the other de-conditioning depends on continuing to expose myself to exercise. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the options below.
1. Go harder to show my brain who is in charge and keep the momentum going in terms of extinguishing this conditioned response, making new neuro pathways, etc. I should also add that when I don't have reactions exercise has made me feel stronger psychologically, happier, and my insomnia is improving.
or
2. Take a day off, regroup, practice self-care, and resume walking instead of running in a day or two.
My concern with the first option is that I'll just make things much worse and these reactions sometimes last several days. (Last night's symptoms were approaching the unbearable). However, I've always given up at this point so maybe I should push through.
With the second option my concern is that I'd be strengthening doubt and build up the belief that intensity is the issue, making it harder to return to more intense exercise several days or weeks from now. And as I said maybe I am close to making some more headway since recovery is non-linear and this may just be a downswing.
I know there is no easy answer but I'd I value your experience and thoughts as it relates to resuming exercise with pain and other conditions. And yes, I've been checked out thoroughly medically. Lots of non-specific EEG things, some neuro symptoms, but nothing of major concern as far as exercise.
Thanks!
For many years I've experienced intense depression, confusion, and sometimes agitation after exercise. There is more and more evidence that these are conditioned responses but I still have a little doubt that I am trying to work through.
Since embracing the TMS diagnosis, self-soothing, meditation, leaning into the fear, etc I've had a lot of improvement but for the last couple of weeks my reactions have steadily gotten worse in response to slowly increasing the intensity of the exercise. I've reached my breaking point and don't know quite how to proceed.
In the past when I've gotten to this point I've always given up because of the severity of the symptoms. On one hand I can't keep doing this to myself with exercise on the other de-conditioning depends on continuing to expose myself to exercise. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the options below.
1. Go harder to show my brain who is in charge and keep the momentum going in terms of extinguishing this conditioned response, making new neuro pathways, etc. I should also add that when I don't have reactions exercise has made me feel stronger psychologically, happier, and my insomnia is improving.
or
2. Take a day off, regroup, practice self-care, and resume walking instead of running in a day or two.
My concern with the first option is that I'll just make things much worse and these reactions sometimes last several days. (Last night's symptoms were approaching the unbearable). However, I've always given up at this point so maybe I should push through.
With the second option my concern is that I'd be strengthening doubt and build up the belief that intensity is the issue, making it harder to return to more intense exercise several days or weeks from now. And as I said maybe I am close to making some more headway since recovery is non-linear and this may just be a downswing.
I know there is no easy answer but I'd I value your experience and thoughts as it relates to resuming exercise with pain and other conditions. And yes, I've been checked out thoroughly medically. Lots of non-specific EEG things, some neuro symptoms, but nothing of major concern as far as exercise.
Thanks!
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