For Dr J and the late Steve Jobs
After a conversation with a friend Dr J, I was reminded about some of the topics that I said I would write about- you can read them here
Its timely to be writing this after the passing of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, but I have found an unusual advantage to owning a smart phone – my iPhone Revelation...
Mental Fatigue is something I have been battling with for some time, but can see some of the results in the efforts I have put into curbing these problems.As part of the fatigue clinic trial I intensively saw a psychologist, and after the programme ended i continued to see a different psychologist to continue training myself to deal with the mental side of the Chronic Fatigue.
Many things have changed since to onset of my illness, some examples of mental changes/fatigue were (are still) concentration issues, reading difficulties, holding conversation with people, problem solving, critical and creative thinking, troubles with memory ect.
It was as though my brain had forgotten/lost these skills and abilities, some entirely, some to a less degree. This caused much concern and anxiety to me and close friends and family, and really made me think hard about where i found my value as a person – because it was no longer to be found in my abilities.
During my time at the fatigue Clinic my life became very regimented, every 30 min block, every day was structured and evaluated (i might post some pages from my calendar/diary) This was to ensure that i didn’t overdo it physically and to also plan how i could extend myself in a measured way to try to build up my abilities. Mental tiredness was addressed in this plan, I planned, everyday what i would do and for how long i would do it for. Some examples, reading, crosswords, iPhone games and puzzles, yes iPhone Apps, reading people’s blogs to keep in touch etc
This was for me such a revelation; I spent time every day (programmed in), in increasing time testing and training my mind to do the things that i could do easily pre illness. I started with 5minute time lots, in time stretching it to 30min time lots. The fact that these could be done at home, but also anywhere at any time, without setup, and with relative ease was fantastic and helped me to stick at it. Most of the Apps were free too.
I did and still do – everyday
Sudoku
Crosswords
Scrabble
Word games
Puzzle games
Board games
Strategy Play
Memory games
For me the separating and different ways to try to address the different types of fatigue (Mental/Physical) were very helpful, and i do absolutely believe as do those close to me that my mental abilities are still not to the level they were pre illness – but that they have and are still improving, and for this i am thankful to Apple and the technology that has made my iPhone medicine available.
SB
After a conversation with a friend Dr J, I was reminded about some of the topics that I said I would write about- you can read them here
Its timely to be writing this after the passing of Apple CEO Steve Jobs, but I have found an unusual advantage to owning a smart phone – my iPhone Revelation...
Mental Fatigue is something I have been battling with for some time, but can see some of the results in the efforts I have put into curbing these problems.As part of the fatigue clinic trial I intensively saw a psychologist, and after the programme ended i continued to see a different psychologist to continue training myself to deal with the mental side of the Chronic Fatigue.
Many things have changed since to onset of my illness, some examples of mental changes/fatigue were (are still) concentration issues, reading difficulties, holding conversation with people, problem solving, critical and creative thinking, troubles with memory ect.
It was as though my brain had forgotten/lost these skills and abilities, some entirely, some to a less degree. This caused much concern and anxiety to me and close friends and family, and really made me think hard about where i found my value as a person – because it was no longer to be found in my abilities.
During my time at the fatigue Clinic my life became very regimented, every 30 min block, every day was structured and evaluated (i might post some pages from my calendar/diary) This was to ensure that i didn’t overdo it physically and to also plan how i could extend myself in a measured way to try to build up my abilities. Mental tiredness was addressed in this plan, I planned, everyday what i would do and for how long i would do it for. Some examples, reading, crosswords, iPhone games and puzzles, yes iPhone Apps, reading people’s blogs to keep in touch etc
This was for me such a revelation; I spent time every day (programmed in), in increasing time testing and training my mind to do the things that i could do easily pre illness. I started with 5minute time lots, in time stretching it to 30min time lots. The fact that these could be done at home, but also anywhere at any time, without setup, and with relative ease was fantastic and helped me to stick at it. Most of the Apps were free too.
I did and still do – everyday
Sudoku
Crosswords
Scrabble
Word games
Puzzle games
Board games
Strategy Play
Memory games
For me the separating and different ways to try to address the different types of fatigue (Mental/Physical) were very helpful, and i do absolutely believe as do those close to me that my mental abilities are still not to the level they were pre illness – but that they have and are still improving, and for this i am thankful to Apple and the technology that has made my iPhone medicine available.
SB
Thanks for sharing SB! :)
ReplyDeleteThe 30 minute blocks remind me of the pomodoro technique (www.pomodorotechnique.com) - which was what I used to complete my thesis.