Does Reducing One Symptom Help to Reduce All Symptoms?

[Freddyt]

So, since my toolbox has grown to where I can figure out whats the most active symptom, I have noticed that in reducing that symptom, all symptoms are reduced.

Anxiety is on the top of my pile and when it's reduced so are intrusive thoughts, and rumination and ............

When I first got here I was really flooded - most of the time. Over time I have learned to recognize that things like EMDR processing are "it is" things. Can't change it, it is what it is, there is no way to control it. But other things are controllable to a large degree. Make an oops because your sense of time and date is messed and go to Costco on the weekend before back to school? Not a bright idea - but once you are there its too late to change it. Panic attack at the till? Leave the Mrs. and go find a quiet spot to get it under control - Big Win. Being able to drive home? Bigger Win. Because there's no other symptoms crowding in making me feel like I ready to freak out.

Deal with the crowds of people thing and go home.

So, Do you find that dealing with the most active symptom reduces other symptoms at the same time?

 

[Friday]

So, Do you find that dealing with the most active symptom reduces other symptoms at the same time?

Usually.

Most symptoms, IME, make others worse. Regardless of what it is. So the more I can back down any symptom? The less power it has to effect the others.

Occasionally? It’s more like whacka-mole. >.< That the intensity of one symptom was actually suppressing/overshadowing the others. Subtract that one and BOOM! On my arse in an entirely new way. Or 6. Dagnabit.

Whether it’s going to be

- A rising tide lifts all boats?
- Nature abhors a vacuum?

I figure it’s a win/win. Because either I’ll have one symptom I’m far better managing, or all of them. (Even though emotional reasoning often has me glaring and stomping my foot in the “Why bother IF?!?” Emotions don’t logic so hot.)

 

[Freddyt]

Occasionally? It’s more like whacka-mole. >.< That the intensity of one symptom was actually suppressing/overshadowing the others. Subtract that one and BOOM! On my arse in an entirely new way. Or 6. Dagnabit.

Ahhh - and that's a skill in itself in a way. Yes sometimes you end up on your ass....but it's worst when you don't know what set it off. At least when you know what drove it you can figure out what set it off.

When you first start figuring things out people try to attack all the symptoms but that's like herding cats. I kinda rolled through that with my T in our last session because T was impressed I seem so "in control" most times and we can get work done vs. dealing with me being unstable and needing help day to day.

Like I said to her, start with one skill, put that tool in your toolbox, then the next, then the next,......and every one props the window of tolerance a little farther open....

(that and I should have copyrighted the "mailslot of tolerance" thing.....T loved it and asked to use it)