How to recover from chronic dizziness with neuroplasticity

So, where to begin!?

Let’s start with the basics.

Neuroplasticity is the brains ability to adapt, change and create neural pathways. Although it may not feel like it right now, this means that you can actually have control over how you feel.

Neurons that fire together, wire together

In a nutshell, the less concern you show the symptoms, the quicker they’ll dissolve. Things we focus on the most are given a high level of importance in the brain. Neurons that fire together, wire together. This means that the more attention you give the symptoms and the more you react with strong negative emotions, the more the circuits will be hardwired.

The good news is that you have control over where you focus your attention! I am aware of how difficult it is to ignore the symptoms when they are constantly in your face. It feels overwhelming and exhausting to face them all the time. However, I am not asking you to ignore them. I am asking you not to analyse them. Of course you can’t ignore them, It’s impossible! I would want to slap anyone who used to tell me to “just ignore them”.

So I hope you can relax with the knowledge that you’re not doing anything wrong if you can’t ignore your symptoms. From now on, try not to pick apart every single sensation you feel. I know the symptoms are awful, however try not to discuss them in depth. 

Do you trust that these are neural circuit symptoms?

Trusting the fact that you are not dying or seriously ill is essential for healing. Have you been given medical clearance? Wonderful! Trust that your doctors have thoroughly checked everything they can, and that there is nothing physically wrong with you. I know that with this type of condition, doctors are slightly useless.

They say “there’s nothing more I can offer you” or “you’ll have to learn to live like this”. They are just doing what they are taught to do. Find a problem, provide a pill or exercise and send you on your way.

This can be terrifying for people with chronic dizziness because no doctor seems to know what the heck is going on. I know that this left me feeling hopeless. However, no medical professional can change your neural pathways, only you can do that. Thank them for showing you that your body is working well, and begin your healing journey. 

Resuming “normal life”

Don’t get me wrong, when I say “normal life” I don’t mean run a marathon or go out dancing! I simply mean going to the grocery store or cooking yourself dinner. If you need something from another room, go and get it yourself instead of asking someone else to get it for you.

It’s essential that we begin introducing normal movement back into our daily lives. It can feel daunting to try and resume normal life after being sedentary for so long. However, the brain needs new stimulation in order to create new neural pathways.

Take it slow and steady at first, then build up your tolerance over time.

Continue all of the nervous system regulation practices whilst you try these activities. Also try your best not to over analyse how the symptoms feel in the moment. Giving too much attention to the symptoms only increases the intensity of them. I know that they are awful, however talking about them will definitely not make it any better! You really need to try your best, and I mean your best, not to analyse them.

This takes an awful lot of dedication and willpower however it is totally possible. Please don’t misunderstand me though, I don’t mean “ignore your symptoms”. I mean, reduce the amount of time you spend describing how they feel.