Home » Health & Wellness » Epilepsy » Stressful Noise Sources and Music as a Diversion

Stressful Noise Sources and Music as a Diversion

© Paulette Le Pore Motzko

SOUND AND NOISE SENSITIVITY

There is more in our lives than solely focusing on what epilepsy type we have or if we have a "seizure disorder". Being concerned with every possible thing that causes you to seize is critical. What aggravates your diagnosis? Many of you could be sound sensitive during times when your seizures increase. Imposed deafness isn't an option so diversions must be created to minimize our "noise pollution". Avoiding areas where the noise level bothers us is the key. You wouldn't pull the whiskers on a tiger. You are the tiger and you want to stay peaceful so don't aggravate the severity and frequency of your seizures. Anxious feelings can creep into our lives unknowingly. Close examination, careful logging and the reviewing of your records uncover patterns that prove what bothers you. Logging of these things is not as depressing as it sounds. You'll be enlightened in your discoveries. A simple blank book or using a word processing program both work. Use whichever feels more comfortable.

LOGGING PATTERNS & ENLIGHTENING DISCOVERIES

I discovered through logging, when having multiple partial seizures I am photosensitive, light sensitive and noise sensitive at times. I said "at times" because how sensitive we are varies like our moods. In addition, ordinary conversations, television commercials, radio, and other noises interrupted my concentration aborting the complex partials. (I do this through biofeedback, progressive relation techniques mixed with imagery.)

Is a noise, pleasant or unpleasant, causing havoc on your seizures? As a courtesy, if I sense a complex partial I will tell those with me. They will try to make it quieter so I can concentrate. Tell family and friends things that help and hurt you. Bringing on your seizures is something to avoid at all costs. Pay attention to subtle things as you may be sound sensitive. If you think you are, minimize stress by removing what is hurting you and avoiding the situation or diverting your attention from it.

PICTURE MEMORIES

Many that have seizures, including myself, have "picture memories". We relive our seizures by being reminded of the place where it took place. This is common. (Our asset is we can recall vivid, incredibly remarkable memories.) I assumed my pills were working but a complex partial left me on someone's lawn on the way to the grocery store.

Afterwards, when I'd travel the same path, time stood still and sad memories flooded my subconscious when passing that lawn I didn't want to see "up close". Simple partials began consequently. Seizures are no stranger to our homes and our most private places. Advocating avoiding the areas we seize in is impractical. If a terrifying memory of your seizure lingers that happened in your bedroom you can't move! Visualizing myself unconscious, reliving that seizure walking that stretch of the block were automatic. The past seizure caused me continued suffering at the unwanted recollection of it. I despised it and knew adapting was the answer. Music became my diversion to pass by this anxiety-building area. It solved the dilemma. Your brain can do brutal things causing seizure activity but you can "train it to work for you!"