PEM discussion thread

Just to let you know I'm writing a couple of thoughts about this in the benefits thread, as it risks taking this one off topic.

 

I don't know if this is related here but I found it interesting.

The Neurological Basis of Shutdowns in ADHD
Shutdowns in ADHD are linked to the brain’s handling of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which are crucial in managing attention and emotional responses. When overwhelmed, the ADHD brain may struggle to regulate these chemicals effectively, leading to a shutdown.

The connection between neurotransmitter management and ADHD symptoms, specifically related to how the brain processes dopamine and norepinephrine, is well-documented in neuroscience. These neurotransmitters play crucial roles in regulating attention and emotional responses. Research suggests that disruptions or imbalances in their pathways can contribute to the characteristic symptoms of ADHD, including the propensity for ‘shutdowns’ under stress or overload.
LINK

 

My heart rates goes up and I start to shake when my brain energy starts to 'shutdown'. I need to full stop and lie down.

 

I think that the newly diagnosed person needs to know that if they're much sicker for days or weeks or more after an activity or period of activity, then it is a sign that they've overdone it either immediately before or in the recent past and that they need to pay attention to what they did that may have triggered it. It's helpful for people to know that symptoms can start right away or be delayed, so that they make the connection between the offending activities and the consequences, and start to get a handle on the cumulative nature of it all. But to me it makes no sense to insist that only delayed PEM is PEM. (That's not directed at you, Kitty, it's just something that came up a lot earlier in the thread/factsheet discussion.)

I think the wording @Trish has come up with in version 2 of the factsheet is perfect on symptoms that are eased by rest and last for minutes/an hour. I won't quote it because it's in the members-only thread. I wouldn't classify those as PEM. But if I did activities that triggered significant symptom exacerbations lasting an hour multiple times over the space of a few days, I would definitely crash.

 

Yeah, I think if you get those symptoms and they go away pretty soon after you stop talking then it's not PEM and cognitive fatigue is a good term for it. I started using "cognitive crash" for when those symptoms continue for days/weeks so that I could have a short-hand for carers. I can just text "Cog crash so text and gesture only" and they know we're in for a quiet few days/week.