 |
 |
Hello Everyone, I have been reading with great interest the messages concerned with stress and PD. I have long believed that a relationship exists between the two. I worked in a very high stress occupation, in constant contact with the public, for 13 years. A short while before starting that job my first marriage ended. During that time (in the high stress job) I was also under a great deal of additional stress from other personal problems and to make matters worse I had problems with my immediate supervisor (too difficult to explain here.) I resigned from my job 8 and a half years after noticing the very first sign of symptoms. I returned to work as a temporary after a break of 3 years and only lasted 9 months before I had to pull the plug permanently. I had reached the stage where not only could the clients not read my handwriting, I was having difficulty reading it myself! I believe that in my particular case, there is a direct link between stress and the severity of my symptoms and I have long believed that there is a link between stress and the MANIFESTATION of the disease; I don't know whether there is any link between stress and the CAUSE of the disease. Having said that, I can remember even as a child being particularly prone to cramps in my feet and I had the most disgusting handwriting imaginable. I often wonder if that is related to PD or if I just got cramps and had lousy handwriting? I take great pains to avoid stressful situations and have found that this has helped keep my symptoms to a manageable level. I used to be a compulsive worrier but after several years of training myself not to worry so much, I have become much better (and happier.) Stay happy Sylvia Gartland [log in to unmask]