Q: I have this new symptom - this left hand sided weakness in my arm and hand and I can't stop worrying about it or accepting it is part of the Disorder. Do you think it is real or do you think it is because I am worrying about it all the time that is making it worse. What do you think is causing it.

A: Firstly, I am assuming you have had this checked by your doctor and it has been confirmed there is nothing physically wrong. If you haven't had it checked by a health professional, then I suggest you do so as soon as possible.

If there is nothing physically wrong, then the answer to your question is actually in your letter! Not being able to accept it, and because it is predominant in your mind, it is there! It won't go away while you give it the power to worry you. Recovery means the experience of many different symptoms. When you let go of one symptom there always seems that they are more waiting to take their place. That is why checking each new symptom with your doctor is so important. You need to know what you are dealing with.

I can't tell you why you are having this particular symptom but from what I have seen over the years it is quite a common symptom of the Disorder. I have stopped mentioning to the various researchers I have been in contact with because no one appears to know and no one has wanted to follow it through.

As you have this particular type of symptom , I would guess that you are having the 'whoosh' attacks that move through your whole body : The electric shock and/or the burning (sometimes prickly) heat and/or the vibration and/or the unusual energies and/or the 'rush' and/or the tingling sensation etc. and you may also Dissociate, that is Depersonalization and/or Derealization etc. The symptom you mention usually go hand in hand with these types of attacks.

From what I can gather once you lose your fear off these types of attacks and they do become less frequent, this particular symptom does disappear. Although of course you may still have the attacks on occasion. they can feel quite violent, they won't hurt you and it really is a matter of letting them happen.

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