Re: Personality types
Wow Judy! Before BEB:
1. enjoyed being on the go and doing things2. Perfectionist (according to my husband) but no problem excusing others for being human 3. Hard worker; dedicated to job at hand 4. Enjoyed planning a day or weekend 5. Didn't like crowds or trying to talk to too many at once (still am this way) 6. Loved getting in truck and going into town to do grocery shopping or whatever 7. Loved drawing, painting, yard work, freedom without limitation 8. Loved cooking for company. There must be more. Might come to me later. Steve said he'll give it some thought. (Geez! I can't wait to see what he comes up with). graceanne in port orchard
Re: Personality types
Judy,Without elaborating on your outline, I would just say "all of the above"! I won't go into the differences between then and now because that isn't what you asked, but I think you're on to something! Carol
Re: Personality types
i would also ditto your list, except i was very, very independent.
Re: Personality types
Judy I am very curious to see the results also.
I asked this long ago, and I thought I remembered you being one of the
ones that were not like me, except for the perfectionist.
#l - 5 was exactly who I was. Certainly not that way any more.
Mindy
Re: Personality types
I'm #2 thru 5 can't wait for the resultes.
Re: Personality types
Here's me then - many still apply:
1. High expectations regarding myself - a little more tolerant of others.
2. Hard worker
3. Adaptable
4. Assertive
5. Quiet, enjoy solitude
6. Optimistic
7. Logical, not highly emotional
8. Dependable
9. Approach tasks in structured, organized manner (husband's contribution)
10. Not results oriented - I've got to enjoy the ride
11. Enjoy a challengeI only got nervous speaking in front of large groups, was not inclined to worry about much (except my kids), stress was a positive thing for me - a motivator. I'm a lousy housekeeper, a mediocre cook, and I could be a perpetual student - these haven't changed in the least. Virginia in AL
Re: Personality types
Judy You sure got my interest can,t wait for results
1 Worry about everything
2 Take charge person
3Try to help everyone
4 Love to cook family dinners 5 Nervous 6 Love to read 7 Can,t cook or red much any more
Colleen
Re: Personality types
Virginia, are you my long lost sister???? You sound like me!!!!! My boss on many occasions told me I could only work under pressure, when things are going good, I wasn't worth a @#!!@#. All the others apply too.
Only thing I wonder about is how many also developed a tremor all over their body before the beb was noticable. I trembled so bad I could barely hold a coffee cup and had hard time writing or doing things with my hands. Left hand still bad, worse than rest of body, left eye and left side of face also worse than other side???? Anyone else??? clara in ohio, still waiting to hear from ssd
Re: Personality types
I had a co-worker tell me once that I was very creative under pressure. I think it was when we were trying to install a system out of town and were working about 18 hours a day. Yes, there's a lot of incentive to be productive under those conditions. I'd be proud to call you sister.Virginia in AL, hoping you hear from SSD soon.
Re: Personality types
Before beb I was:-hardworking/organised/punctual/dependable
-like things done `my way' in the house (husband's input)
-sociable - loved to dance and attend aerobic classes
-a Gemini (still am:-) - mostly strong, but on occasion my `twin' was weaker
-loved to read/cook/garden/shovel the snow (much preferred to housework - although I also kept a clean house) I know I was mostly an A-type personality but my Gemini `twin' managed to keep me from being completely that way. June in Toronto who is curious about what will come out of all this!
--modified by June in Toronto at Sun, Mar 04, 2001, 19:59:06
Re: Personality types
1.nervous
2.perfectionist
3.hard worker-very devoted to job
4.worry about everything (husband says this is the way I am, he probably is wrong) ha!
My husband keeps telling me things to type. He needs to leave the room!!!!
Can't wait until you let us all know what you are on to.
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I am probably #2 Introspective and 4. hard worker (when I need to be only)Shanasy, living a basically stress-free life
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Judy, you can put me down as a 1 through 5.
Very curious about the results also.
Chrisel
Re: Personality types
Judy, you can list me as #1-5, also. Shar in MA where we are awaiting 30" of snow. Can't wait for spring.
Re: Personality types
Dear Friends of the BEB, It was interesting to read your personality types. I guess I fall some where in the group , I am easy going, pretty well organized, clean house, but don't like doing it.Enjoy cooking,loves to read, but don't do a lot of it any more. Enjoys playing lots of card games, which I have time for since we are retired and living in a senior mobile home park.I don't post a lot. but enjoy reading your letters. We got 1 inch of much needed rain yesterday in Fl.Edith
Re: Personality types
Want to emphasis before I had BEB because I have made some major
changes in manner I approach life:Nervous Compulsive Critical Worrier Introspective Unable to let things go--hang onto the garbage More concerned about end result than process Joanne M. San Diego,CA
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Pre-BEB:1. Optimistic 2. Dreamer 3. Worrywart 4. Tried to please everyone 5. Never said "No" 6. Lived in the world of books as much as possible 7. Cluttery and saved EVERYTHING 8. Cried over anything: good/bad/indifferent, happy/tragic 9. Champion of the underdog: human or otherwise 10. Quiet and shy 11. Preferred solitude to crowds 12. Would rather be creative than methodical 13. And to make a baker's dozen: a sense of humor Was and am a terrible housekeeper and so-so cook (there's always a book that needs to be read! Would be a student forever if allowed to do so, shopping for new courses to take was was exhilerating. Most of all, pre-BEB I had INDEPENDENCE. Sally
--modified by Sally - in - Idaho at Mon, Mar 05, 2001, 18:22:32
Re: Personality types
1. Assertive
2. Independant
3. Critical
4. Perfectionist (job only)
5. Anxious
6. Competitive
7. Outgoing
8. Open and Honest
9. Dependable
10. Rebel with a heart, and like Sally, a champion for the underdog.
Re: Personality types - P.S.
Sorry about this, but I thought of one big thing that was part of me before BEB, and that is I was so ORGANIZED and EFFICIENT. I had even started my own business called Rganize. I don't know if it's legitimate to say this, but since BEB I find that because it is so difficult to see things, it is too difficult to keep track of what I have and where I have it. It's like: what you can't see can't possibly be remembered as having seen it. Hope this makes sense to you. So now I feel less organized and less efficient. Drats!graceanne in Port Orchard
--modified by grace anne at Tue, Mar 06, 2001, 00:02:18
Re: Personality types
I'm a mixed bag 1.Independent
2.Assertive
3.Outspoken(I know that this comes as a shock to many of you)
4.Impulsive
5.Critical of others and self
6.Honest
7.Hardworker and professional (only at work) took great pride in
doing my job well and being liked by my co-workers.
8.Lousy housekeeper
9.Optimistic
10.Logical-common sense prevails
11.Dependable and Responsible
12.Sense of Humor
Shirley
--modified by Shirley-Arkansas-USA at Tue, Mar 06, 2001, 15:14:59
Re: Personality types
I have no personality!Actually, I think the real answer would be the same as Judy, which surprises me, but I don't really know why.
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Thanks for breaking the ice - I was afraid this was going to be one of those girl things. Now maybe we will hear from some of the other guys.
Re: Personality types - BOB
You seem to have a sense of humour!June in Toronto
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Before Codependency Therapy started in 1989. Still have to work on many of these issues very hard every day but am making progress. My best traits could be my worst enemies when out of balance.
1. People pleaser, especially at work and in beginning of relationships.
2. Perfectionist, especially at work
3. Judgmental, controlling, needed to be right, didn't take criticism well.
4. Super-responsible, punctual...get there early, do things before deadlines, give 110% at work.
5. Attracted to addictive personalities and wanted to fix them.
6. Focused on the one thing that was negative instead of the 99 positive comments. "What If and If only" thoughts.
7. Excelled in school and work, but had low self esteem and felt like a fraud until I did a lot of work on myself and learned to love me warts and all.
8. Most of my personality in 1-7 came from living out of fear instead of love and feeling powerless which led to super stress in both my private and professional life. The truth is that I know I have a heart of gold, am compassionate, tolerant, happy, loving, spiritual, beautiful, intelligent, creative, a wonderful writer, story teller, teacher. I love solitude, books, art, nature, feel very connected to the earth and other people and my creator and I am learning to be more honest with myself, live in the present moment and allow others to find their own path. Delaine in TN who has been too busy doing and recovering from doing to post. Tried to read the BB every day. Thanks for missing me.
Re: Personality types
Judy: Well I see the question that you are getting at here....Is BEB associated with a nervous/type-A personality? I think one issue may be a bit confusing...and that nervousness aggrevates BEB/Meige...so those of us with such a personality are probably more severely affected (and therefor more likely to be on this web site) than the laid-back/type B personalities with BEB/Meige. Sorry for this analysis...I am a (Type A personality) epidemiologist by trade...and think about this stuff.
At any rate...I love surveys and will join in:1. Am nervous at times (mostly stress out about work related stuff) 2. Introspective (not me...I would say I am balanced in this regard) 3. Perfectionist (not me either.... 4. Hard worker (Definitely me) 5. Worry about everything (Definitely me at times anyway) I think it would be interesting to do a formal survey...maybe with questions about how BEB has effected our quality of life and how important coping skills and family support is...stuff like that. That was fun!
Re: Personality types
Andrew & All:Yes, that is exactly what I was looking for. Many of the people I've seen with BEB are of the nervous type, whether presenting the more easily seen outward actions, or of the gunney sack/hold it in - ulcer creating type. Obviously BEB/Dystonia and it's frustrations add more to the mix.
Since Dopamine or lack thereof affects the CNS (Central Nerveous System) many of the helpful medications calm us down. These medications are not a cure, but do make life more manageable for some. (Personally, I'm here to tell you - the addition of Neurontin in the last month has allowed me to sleep through the night without spazzing out and pacing the house like a caged tiger.) My question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Many of us have experienced extremely high stress levels before developing BEB. Has our system simply been overloaded until it breaks down and blows a fuse? Is there anyone in our group or that you know of with BEB who is a very calm, nothing bothers them type? Thanks all for your help! Judy
--modified by Moderator-JB at Sat, Mar 10, 2001, 09:56:25
Re: Personality types
I too am the nervous type. I appear to be calm, but wake up in the middle of the night and worry about everything. Every photo I have of myself, my hands are clinched into fists. I had been through a very stressful period before my BEB took over. If I take a tylenol PM before I go to sleep or even benadryl seems to keep me from waking up.
By the way, I had a Catheter Ablation done on my heart Feb. 6 to stop the Tachycardia attacks I was having. I went to an Electrophysiologist in Billings, Montana. They went into my heart with a catheter, induced the Tachycardia and when they found the "short circuit" spot they zapped it with a laser until the electric current returned to it's normal pathway. It took three hours, but the doctor is very optimistic, and says if I don't have any attacks in the next 30 to 60 days, they will consider it a success. He says there is a 2% chance that it will come back. So far I am off all medication and feeling good. So just hope and pray that one of my problems at least is corrected. I asked the doctor if this could be related in any way to my BEB and of course he doesn't think so.
I did meet another BEB patient. She was the receptionist in the outpatient department. We visited for a few minutes and she promised to give me a call. She is taking botox injections.
Re: Personality types
Connie ... Are you from Montana or Wyoming, by any chance?Sally in North Idaho
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Sally:Sorry I took so long to answer you. I've had a miserable cold and haven't been on my computer for a few days. I live in Riverton, Wy.I was born & raised in Thermopolis, Wy which is only 57 miles from here. My husband also is a Wyoming native and that is why we moved back to Wyoming to retire and be near family.
Re: Personality types
The reason I asked is that we lived for three years in the late 60's on the Montana border, just above Sheridan, WY, and one of our sons was friends with a boy named Robbie Gaskell.Sally
Re: Personality types
Judy, as you know, I have said it before and I'll say it again. There is no doubt in my mind that the high level of stress in my job caused this in some way. I remember telling my co-workers that when I ws 30 I was able to manage the stress much better, however, after I turned 50 it became more difficult. The term "burn out" became crystal clear, and I believe that I literally burned out circuitry in the brain. Because the nerves are electrically charged, it makes perfect sense to me.
Re: Personality types
Judy,First of all, no, sorry, I'm not a calm, nothing-bothers-me type! But you're right about the medication (in my case, Artane) having a calming effect. One of the signs that I'm about to have problems with BEB and/or torticollis is a tension in the face and neck and a wrinkling of my forehead, along with a generalized anxiety and nervousness and a PMS-like irritability (sorry!) that leads me to take things that people say or do a little too personally. I can feel the calming effects of the Artane immediately, along with relief of the tension in my face and neck. (The eye closing, etc., doesn't respond as quickly--maybe twenty minutes--and the light sensitivity may actually get worse from the Artane, but that's another question.) So, yes, you're probably right about personality types. Definitely in my case, the nervous/
introspective/perfectionist personality type came before the dystonia. The perfectionism has in part gone away (how can I do a good job with such and such a project if I can't keep my eyes open to do it? BEB is a great excuse for procrastination, I'm sorry to say), but the introspection has gotten worse because of the dystonia-imposed isolation (fewer friends, scared to drive at night, movie screens hurt my eyes, etc.). I used to love reading, but that's harder now, too. So when I'm home alone, I sit around and think, daydream, and play with the Internet (the computer screen DOESN'T hurt my eyes). I do still proofread my e-mail and bulletin board postings unless I'm in a hurry, so the perfectionism hasn't been wholly cured/eradicated. (I consider it a vice, but then so is procrastination.) Hope this isn't more detail than you were looking for, but as I said before, I think you're on to something, and I'm curious as to whether my experience matches yours. Carol
Re: Personality types
Judy, I posted that I was a more-or-less A type personality BEFORE BEB. Two years before I got beb I had 3 operations whilst still trying to work - I also found my new boss to be a very political animal without a conscience and that caused me an amazing amount of stress, as my job up to that point had been wonderful. I took a 3-month leave of absence without pay and went to the U.K. with my husband, thinking I would recoup/regroup, but there my blinking got worse. I read about dystonia in a women's magazine, went to the London clinic and obtained all the reading material and diagnosed beb myself. My husband and I decided at that point that I should `retire early' and I promptly faxed my boss that information - he didn't take it kindly and it took a lot of faxes and phone calls, and eventually I had to tell him I did not like his ethics and really wanted to leave. It was all done under a lot of stress. Within a couple of months of returning home I went to another neurologist who diagnosed beb straight away.
So I guess I fit into the stressed-out, type A personality. But as I've posted before, I did blink a lot in my childhood years apparently and even later in my late teens (although I couldn't see myself blink!). I had a lot of other stress in my life (as most of us have), but perhaps this was an overload. I thank God that AT LEAST NOW I can smell the roses even if it does mean that I have to deal with this disease.
P.S. I was later granted disability pay, although I was disallowed for the first year.June in Toronto
Re: Personality types
Judy,
I can relate to the overload and blowing a fuse. As my initial symptoms of BEB were beginning, my parents were becoming more and more dependant on me. They lived right around the corner from me and it was always some health problem that they were dealing with. Calls in the middle of the night, telling me that one of them was dying and had to go to the ER. Past three summers, one or both of them were hospitalized for surgery or health problems. Them expecting me to stay with them all the time as I was a "nurse". Expecting me to prepare meals for them if my mom was ill as dad had never cooked. Laying a guilt trip on me when I went to the store and bought them TV dinners to prepare themselves. When dad would be hospitalized, I would have to stay with my mom so that she wouldn't burn the house down or fall, which she often did. Her getting mad at me for turning the airconditioning on and threatening to kill me as I wasn't paying for that electricity bill. My mom is not a nice person and has told me numerous times that she wished that I had never been born, that she hates me, that she hopes that I get diabetes so I will understand how she feels. If this was a change in her behavior due to aging, I could be more excepting but she has been like this for as long as I can remember. I can't remember the number of times that she has told me that she wishes that I was dead. She has tried to choke me and the last time I stayed with her overnite because my dad was in the hospital, she said that if she had a gun, that she would kill me. I grew up with this and her being physically abusive to all us kids. I'm the only sibling that stuck around. Anyway, what I am trying to say is that as their health deterioted over the past few years, I was having to deal with them more and more and getting more and more stressed. When I started having difficulty with my eyes and could no longer drive and had to quit my job, my father was terribly upset and said that he did not know what they were going to do. They were not concerned for me, they didn't like how it would effect them. They were moved to an assisted living facility, which of course, is my fault.
So, yes, stress, I do believe, played a role in the onset of my symptoms. I was overloaded.
June, was it you who said to just be glad that I still had my mother?
I guess that I would be glad, if I had a caring nurturing mother, but I don't and never have.Well, now that I have said all that, I don't feel a bit better. I am still a good daughter, though, and call them everyday and have my husband take me to see them at least once a week. Shirley in AR.
Re: Personality types
Shirley, maybe it was me that said `be glad you have a mother' - but I sure didn't know your story at that point! My heart breaks for you upon reading about your parents and your life. YOU ARE A GOOD DAUGHTER and you can be proud of that. Life can be so tough and NEVER a bed a roses! I guess I have a guilt conscious (still) about my mother - I fell in love, got engaged, and my fiance was transferred from London, U.K. to Toronto. My mother did not want me to leave home and go to Canada (I was the `baby' of the family) but I was strong willed and HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO CANADA ANYWAY. I had a pen pal here for years during high school), so I left with a girlfriend (who wanted to travel around the country). My mother did not talk to me for months before I left home - although she did come to the station with the family to see me off to go to Liverpool to get the boat across. We got married without family present and, as my family did not have a telephone I never spoke to her again, although I wrote every week and so did my father. She died 2 years later and I went home to her funeral! I regret being so head strong (she was as well) and leaving home this way. I guess that's why I often say `be glad you have a mother`. The marriage lasted 15 years - I was then another 15 years on my own raising 2 children before I remarried and am now very happy, but dealing with beb/meige. I don't believe stress is the cause of beb - BUT I CERTAINLY DO BELIEVE that stress can be the last straw that brings on many diseases that are in the body waiting. You are STILL doing everything you can for your parents, Shirley, and you are to be congratulated for that. You won't ever regret it I'm sure. May your eyes open, and may you have a good day. Love June
Re: Personality types
I don't believe that stress CAUSES blephs or dystonia but I do believe that stress exaccerbates the symptoms of both. I don't consider myself a nervous person, nor do I hold stuff in until I get an ulcer. I am definitely "anal expulsive", meaining I explode and let things out, (maybe sometimes to a fault!) whereas many people implode and keep things in. I have been thinking about your survey Judy for days and I really don't think I have changed much since getting dystonia & blephs, except that I am much more cynical and anti-medication than before. And between getting dystonia and going through menopause, I feel I now have some new rights as an aspiring elder with a "disability". I am much more outspoken and speak out more often, and I take less crap from people, like the ones who get in the 10 item or less line at the supermarket and have a basketfull of stuff! That just burns my hairs! And I usually say something to them. Anyway, I won't go off on a tangent and I did find your survey and the responses interesting and thought provoking. Thanks.Dee in OR
--modified by Dee in OR at Sat, Mar 10, 2001, 23:47:57
Re: Personality types
1. Worrier.2. Positive about most things. 3. Persistent. 4. Caregiver. 5. Patient with most things and people. 6. Shy until familiar with new people/situations.
Re: Personality types
this is a very interesting thread you have started and i'm planning to try and read when i have more time. But, there is one burning question i have so far. Do you actually know any women who are happy go lucky and don't worry?? perhaps this is why 4 times as many women as men have BEB.
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