Query. Could high levels of stress and anxiety cause a significant deterioratation in one's mobility

GREECE
GREECE Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
edited January 2023 in Cerebral Palsy Network
Hi All, I have just discovered this website which is very helpful. I'm from Ireland and my brother has cp. He's in his late 40's and has lived an independent life although with many accidents throughout the years due to his cp. I don't know the type of cp he has but from looking on this we site it seems to be ataxic. He lives at home with my family and would have been very active on our farm and at the  same time he would have experienced many accidents on the farm throughout the years due to his balance issues. Anyway, I will get to the point!I am just giving a background!He had eye surgery 5 weeks ago for glaucoma and unfortunately there has been complications with this which has been very traumatic for him as it involved multiple procedures and eye drops which has created high anxiety levels and intense worry&it is still ongoing. However, what has changed is his mobility, he is requiring the assistance of one at the moment due to his instability. The eye doctor has said that there has not been any visual loss since his operation but sadly he lost most of his vision in the other eye 3years ago. My question is could high levels of stress and anxiety cause a significant deterioratation in one's mobility? I would be grateful for any suggestions. Thank you, Noreen 

Comments

  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 63,123 Championing
    Hi noreen @GREECE welcome to scopes forum. Has your brother been in touch with his gp about his mobility declining.  We're not allowed to give medical advice on here. I think it will be worth a visit, so they can look into it for you both.ill tag @Richard_Scope as he may be able to give some advice. 
  • GREECE
    GREECE Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thank you, we have been to the gp, referral to ot, physio&neurologist too. That's no problem, I would not expect any medical advice, I was just wondering if people experienced anything similar. Thank you Sandy😊
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 63,123 Championing
    No worries Richard may be able to throw more in. Hopefully the physio can help and ot. 
    How exciting living on a farm. I would of loved that upbringing and I can appreciate its hard work. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hello there @GREECE and welcome, thanks for reaching out with your query. It's a very good question!

    I have CP (spastic diplegia), and based on my own experience, when I'm feeling particularly stressed and anxious my legs do get tense and tight, so moving around is more difficult than otherwise.

    I know that everyone experiences CP differently, and as you've mentioned your brother's CP is ataxic there might be different causes. It's sometimes the case that different types of CP overlap, but as mentioned I'm sure @Richard_Scope can lend you his thoughts when he's next online too :) 

    I'm glad to hear you've got referrals to the OT, physio and neurologist, that will be a big help to ongoing support for your brother to manage his CP day to day.  
  • GREECE
    GREECE Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thank you @Alex_Scope for the information! I really appreciate it. Yeah, I'm hoping things will settle once the stress minimises!  I am delighted that I have found this group! Cheers
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    edited January 2023
    You're very welcome @GREECE :) Let us know how things go, and please feel free to have a look around the forum in the meantime.
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,793 Cerebral Palsy Network
    Hi @GREECE
    It is great to virtually meet you!

    @Alex_Scope has hit the nail on the head. Stress and anxiety and a fear of falling can and do have a huge impact on balance and mobility. It is so important for your brother to try and relax (easier said than done). Do you think that your brother would try some mindfulness and breathing techniques to try and relax?

    I find the box breathing technique really helpful.
  • Hannah_Alumni
    Hannah_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,866 Championing
    Hello @GREECE

    I just wanted to comment and let you know, I've popped your post into our Cerebral Palsy section of the forum. I thought it could help your query more and you could also have a look around, see if there are other discussions that may help :)  
  • GREECE
    GREECE Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thanks a million Hannah_scope, I really appreciate that! 
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything else we can do to support you @GREECE. We are all here for you and listening to you  :)
  • GREECE
    GREECE Online Community Member Posts: 5 Listener
    Thank you L_volunteer, you know he's on eye drops and I am seeing some of the side effects is saying nervousness & motor dysfunction so I am thinking the eye drops are contributing to some of these problems. We are waiting for a response from the doctor. Will keep u posted. Thanks
  • Lou67
    Lou67 Online Community Member Posts: 8,736 Championing
    @GREECE

    Im sorry I don’t have any advice I can give you on this.
    But wanted to welcome you onto the site there’s some great people here that will help.

    I wish your brother all the best and hope things improve soon.
    And he’s lucky he has such a thoughtful sister.

    Take care ❤️

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