#symptom tracking

[Image: the beginning of a table which lists: symptom/problem, typical episode severity (0-10), frequency experienced, mostly affects (e.g. “basic movement and function”), level of interference (0-10). The table is filled in with two symptoms (chronic pain and short term memory loss) and their associated values.]

Do what works for you. 

This is part of my personal symptom organization system. I am putting it together because I’m going to be seeing a new psychiatrist and want to make sure I don’t miss any of the many things that are going wrong with me. I like this table because it’s easy to access (I use Google Drive), clear, succinct, and easy to use. It gets the point across in a measurable way and will bring to your doctor’s attention how your symptoms affect your life.

Something you should know: aside from really direct medical interventions, a treatment or health practice is only really going to be effective if you’re into it.

Some examples of things that really need some buy-in to really work for you: a medication, therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, yoga, journaling, symptom tracking, diet, most alternative medicine... we could keep going.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try these things, especially therapy and physical therapy.* It does mean that you shouldn’t feel guilt or push yourself if they’re just not working for you.

Everybody is different---and while, say, an anti-inflammatory diet might have worked wonders for your friend, there’s nothing wrong with trying it and deciding it’s not for you.

We’ve seen folks pressure spoonies to keep a symptom journal and give them crap when they say that doesn’t work for them. That’s totally not okay, and absolutely crosses a personal autonomy boundary.

So here’s your reminder that you are in charge of these choices. You know yourself better than anyone else.

*If therapy or physical therapy aren’t working for you, we don’t recommend dropping it immediately. Instead, try talking to your provider about why it’s not working---why you aren’t getting anything out of your therapy sessions or why you’re not keeping up with your PT routine. There’s nothing wrong with you; it just means that treatment hasn’t been structured to meet your needs yet.

1. Pissed Off about Everything and also Nothing

2. Slightly dizzy

3. Sudden onset fatigue

4. Desperate desire for Floor Time

5. Also desperate desire for Complete Isolation