I can't believe it's been six weeks,
because the illness seems so long ago now. I'm doing
really well. Since coming to see you I've experienced
the busiest period in my life, what with renovating
the new flat over the Christmas period and returning
to work at the same time, but I haven't suffered
for it. I'm able to rush about and get things done
without worrying about getting ill. In fact, I would
say I'm the healthiest person I know at the moment!
Mentally, I'm also very well. I no longer get stressed
about things or fear things for no reason. I feel
like I can handle anything.
I remember that I asked why you think
some people under stress get ME whilst others don't,
and you said you believe that people who get ME have
sensitive nervous systems. Well, that got me thinking
because I've always felt I'm much more sensitive than
average and I suspected my low self-esteem might be
related to that. I did a bit of internet research
and found a book by Dr Elaine N Aron called 'The
Highly Sensitive Person' which has had
an amazing effect. It has enabled me to reframe a
lot of things in the past that still affected me and
to accept that being a sensitive person has a lot
going for it. I read it whilst bearing in mind what
you teach
so that it would compliment what I learned from you
and not undo any of the good work I've done.
It was interesting that some of what
she writes about echoes what you taught us during
the course - she touches on stress, how the brain
functions, cortisol and serotonin (although not as
thoroughly as you explained it), but it certainly
seems to back up your theory of ME sufferers being
more sensitive. I now feel that having done the course
and read this book I have learned everything I need
to know about my nature in order to keep myself healthy
and happy. In fact 'Health and Happiness' has replaced
'What if?' as my mantra and I have you to thank for
that!
- Lucy
