www.TheHopeNet.org
COVID 19 PANDEMIC STRESS IMPACTS BRAINS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH ESSENTIAL TREMOR (ET), THE MOST COMMON MOVEMENT DISORDER WORLDWIDE
How to Recognize Signs and Reduce Stress During COVID-19 Pandemic
March 23, 2020 –
Centreville, VA – Adults and children diagnosed with Essential Tremor (ET), a
constellation of closely related neurological syndromes in which motion control
is often difficult, may be noticing more difficulty managing their symptoms
since the onset of the 24/7 COVID-19 Pandemic news coverage.
“ET patients are often not aware they are experiencing chronic stress or that ongoing, prolonged exposure to stressful situations such as the COVID-19 Pandemic can subtly worsen current levels of movement control, increase tremor, making usual levels of medication less effective,” says Peter Muller, Executive Director of the patient education and advocacy association, www.TheHopeNet.org.
ET affects nearly 10
million Americans, roughly eight times more than Parkinson’s Disease, a motion
disorder most people think of when they see ET patients shake. ET is a complex
hereditary condition that causes tremor in the hands and frequently in the head
and voice. People with ET shake uncontrollably during most activities of daily
living, and this is a source of stress, anxiety and depression. External
sources of stress, like COVID-19 make matters worse.
One type of environmental trigger for increased tremor is stress.
Stress has a negative effect on every person but for people with ET, the
release of stress chemicals in the brain can worsen symptoms of motor control
resulting in tremor.
On a good day, people with ET shake under normal circumstances doing
daily tasks with varying degrees of movement control. However, given any
momentary jolt of stress or chronic stress exposure, the shaking can become
more exaggerated. Some people find tremors are so severe they are debilitating,
“The brain doesn’t know the difference between stress and taking an
appropriate action in response to stress, such as bravery. ETers may find their
medications are not as effective and not understand it’s related to prolonged
exposure and response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” adds Muller.
Dr. Claudia Testa, a movement disorders neurologist, emphasizes there
are many positive steps people with ET can take. “People with ET can use
non-medication interventions to decrease stress-induced brain reactions. These
include deep breathing techniques, mindfulness, exercise, taking short breaks
from activities impacted by tremor to dial down frustration, and taking in
important COVID-19 pandemic news in small chunks from trusted sources such as
the CDC – that’s the place the White House website links to. Reach out to your
support networks to avoid feeling isolated. Talk to your doctor if you think
you may need more medication to help with tremor control, or supportive
treatment for managing stress.”
Muller encourages ET families to:
- Limit contact with people who are overly stressed, panicked or obsessed
by COVID-19 Pandemic news. ET patients will suffer consequences of
participating in debates or fear-based discussions. “There is nothing we can do
about another person’s fear except get sucked into it and that’s not healthy
for us.”
- Avoid hateful, mocking social media sites as these are not productive
and they are stress producing particularly when you engage any dialogue
pro or con!
- Take a walk, stretch, do some yoga, make a list of what you are
grateful for, sing, smile. These are great ways to reduce stress, anxiety and
depression.
- Connect via phone,
FaceTime, Skype or similar with friends, family, ET support group members, and
colleagues to reduce isolation.
- Make routines and schedules to provide structure when normal daily
routines get disrupted by pandemic restrictions.
“These are difficult times but let’s not let COVID Pandemic get the best of us emotionally,” says Muller. “Our leaders will not be perfect. So let’s not demand that. Everyone at every level is doing their best. Let’s do our best, too. Together we are all strong. COVID-19 is new for everyone. The important message for people with ET is to look and respond to facts not emotions. Remain resourceful and positive. And if you need help with Essential Tremor, come to https://www.TheHopeNet.org.
Contact:
PETER MULLER at hopenet12@gmail.com
www.TheHopeNet.org
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STRESS WARNING SIGNS PEOPLE WITH ESSENTIAL TREMOR SHOULD KNOW
- Name calling at TV, disgust with officials managing COVID 19 Pandemic, posting angry diatribes on social media — Redirect your outrage for positive action. Someone needs your help somewhere. Anger won’t change anything.
- Trouble sleeping — Up all hours worried about what you didn’t get at the grocery store? It’s okay. Barter with a neighbor. Hem a skirt or trade canned goods or cash if they’ll pick up a dozen eggs or whatever you missed on their next run to the store.
- Moody or short tempered — Routines are more than disrupted and uncertainty is the new norm. So embrace it. Learn to laugh at yourself and not take things personally when others snap, crackle and pop at the slightest inference.
Call your neurologist and/or primary physician to discuss how you are
managing stress.
Contact:
PETER MULLER at hopenet12@gmail.com
www.TheHopeNet.org
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ESSENTIAL STRESS MANAGEMENT TIPS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
- Go on a TV Pandemic
News Diet – Stay informed, but not 24/7. Allot one reliable news source that
supplies facts without the drama. Set a timer for 60 minutes total engagement
per day. Watch at least one funny movie daily instead!
- Clean and purge! – Tackle
overflowing closets. Prepare donations for future pick up. Love that shirt or
outfit? Keep it. If not, lose it. You’ll feel so good (anti-stress chemicals)
knowing you’ve helped other and all that
extra closet space!
- Thanks for the
Memories – Create amazing photo albums freeing up awesome images trapped on
your phone and Facebook!
- Handmade with Love – Rekindle a hobby
using supplies on hand (no pun intended) especially if it is one you abandoned
because of tremor. YES! The eye-hand coordination you will regain will surprise
you. Rediscover determination. It produces awesome brain chemicals. Say, “I
think I can” repeatedly until you succeed.
- Bloom where you are
planted – Weed the garden! Great exercise, eye-hand coordination! Stretch
first. Do a little at a time, please! This is no time to strain or rupture
anything!! 🙂
- Bake bread from
scratch! Never done it before? Make it an adventure! It’s great stimulation
for your brain — from the tips of your fingers to the synapses in your
cerebellum — Try your hand at sourdough!
- Control motion! Squeeze some clay,
putty or a stress ball in your hands for a good five minutes a day. This really
does relieve stress from your arms and shoulders! Put some energy into it and
you’ll be surprised at how relaxed you are after!
- Play marbles – Ten marbles on
the floor. Grab one at a time and place in a nearby plastic (more quiet than a
glass) bowl using only your toes. No marbles? Try grabbing a wash cloth with
your toes and placing it in the bowl instead. Do it ten times each foot. Amuse
yourself and draw a monkey face on the cloth. Do whatever makes it fun. Trust me,
your brain is getting as much of a workout as your toes!!
- Listen to calming
music or dance to MoTown, Burlesque The Musical, hey, anything to get you up dancing!
Try something from the 50’s. Or sing along with any of the Beatles or…anything
that makes you happy.
- Take a hot bath – Throw in a few
lemon slices, sprigs of lavender from your (or a neighbor’s) garden and glow in
the aftermath. Curl up with a good read afterward. TV and social media OFF
time. Ahhh.
Contact:
PETER MULLER at hopenet12@gmail.com
www.TheHopeNet.org
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