This was drafted before Bobby Greer startled us about his medical problems.

Bobby,

Thank you.  A compliment from you is especially cherished.

There are times I allow myself some affirmation regarding experience and
aging.  Your kindness and thoughtfulness balm the usual aches life embodies.

I suspect the startle reflex involves our "flight or fight" autonomous
nervous systems, which would be heightened by new or strange situations and
surroundings.

Ironically, when we are alert to and trying not to startle is when we
inadvertently induce more stress and tension which increase the tendency to
startle.  CP itself seems to promote the likelihood of more intense and
obvious, less easily suppressed, reactions and movements--often to our
annoyance, inconvenience, and others surprise and merriment.

Part of what bothers us is the sense that we lack or have to work harder at
control, that our startle response becomes more than a momentary unwanted
personal shock.   What might have been contained and personal, if noticed at
all, suddenly becomes public.

Steve




Date:         Mon, 1 Mar 1999 03:23:10 -0500
From:         Bobby Greer <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Sensitive Startle Reflex
In-Reply-To:  <[log in to unmask]>

Steve,

        A very learned, measured response. Startle reflex is probably
generally accentuated in CP folk as a group. But it also depends on the
situation. Strange social situation where the individual is tense is
probably the most likely to elicit hyper reactive SR's.

Bobby


>Hi Janet,
>
>Welcome.
>
>Interesting post.  As with the recent "anger" threads, seems we CP's are a
>"volatile" jangle of humanity.
>
>
>Beth and Trisha did good a job as any pointing to the sources of startle.
>
>There's likely no cure, mostly amelioration.  "SR" ebbs and flows over a
>lifetime.  Age and experience, humor, learning to go with the flow and
jumps
>of life's jack-in-the box tendencies, reduce startle frequency and
>intensity.
>
>You might learn and practice meditation, deep breathing, shifting attention
>and focus.  I find premeditation (thinking through a situation:
>"pre-directing" (rehearsing) my behavior and responses, practicing "letting
>go") useful.  Medications may be helpful, though they have their downsides.
>Try herbals (Karla, Mag, suggestions?), limit caffeine, get sufficient
>sleep, rest.
>
>CP offers limited results.  So does life.  As I'm discovering anew
>affirmative self acceptance primes the serenity which centers, soothes, and
>calms.
>
>You're fine as you are.  Next time you glance in the mirror appreciate the
>beauty reflected.
>
>Welcome again.   Thanks for prompting this "he" point of view.
>
>Hugs,
>
>ISM
>
>
>Date:    Sat, 27 Feb 1999 19:47:09 -0600
>From:    Janet Mifflin <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Sensitive startle reflex
>
>Dear group,
>
>This is my first posting to the list.  I too am a CP with a very
>sensitive startle reflex.  I really can relate to the experiences posted
>so far.  Potentially anything will make me jump:  a ringing telephone,
>someone coming up behind me, a professor pounding the lectern when
>making a point, etc.
>
>I just started a new job a few weeks ago.  My new co-workers aren't used
>to my jumpiness.  I'm always more jumpy in a new environment.  It's
>getting frustrating.
>
>Has any CP with this sensitivity found anything that *he or she* can do
>to help this?
>
>Thanks,
>Janet



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