48 year old with ? re: Proprioception

by Kim M.
(Virginia Beach, VA)

I am a 48 year female with ADHD. I have a problem that I have been trying to explain to physicians for years and it wasn't until recently that a physical therapist suggested that I might have a proprioception disorder. The main symptom that is really getting worse and I can't seem to stop is: a part of my body is ALWAYS clenched and/or pushing against something.

Examples:

Relaxing in my recliner my ankles are crossed - sounds relaxing right? no! My ankles are PUSHING each other in a tensed manner. OR some part of my body is tensed.

Driving my car - my hands are clenched on the wheel (I don't get stressed by driving, so that isn't the issue)and/or my left leg is PUSHING into the car door

Sitting at my desk at work my legs are constantly uncomfortable and I find that they are PUSHING into each other or the desk or down on the floor

When I catch myself doing this I make a concerted effort to relax myself and 10 minutes later I'll find myself doing something else. Is there anything I can do?

Other symptoms are:

*I'm very uncoordinated - always have been - I can't do simple dance steps or aerobic exercises (yoga has been my saving grace)

*I fall a lot- I misjudge steps going up & down - trip over anything on the ground - results: sprained my right ankle 4 times - tripped in the middle of a street, fell and dislocated my right shoulder in May - spaced out which step I was on going down our stairs & broke my right wrist, etc..... all of this in the last 4 years

*I bump into things that have not moved in years - as result I have bruises all year round

*I pick at things

*Clench my teeth, etc.

I think I have other sensory issues:

* I am extremely irritated by chewing sounds - smacking - popping - crunching -slurping (I'm constantly fussing at my husband & kids)

* horribly sensitive to many smells

* cannot handle tight things - it is so bad I cannot wear a bra anymore so I wear a camisole with barely any support - I have a drawer full of bras that i thought would be okay, but I can't handle any band around my chest - panty hose - knee highs - I buy super queen size with no support because I can't handle the waistbands or elastic around my calves AND they come off when the office closes! I love the summer!

* I really don't like to be touched unless I initiate it (I'm okay w/handshakes & hugs) & I HATE being tickled - it seems painful to me - needless to say that this "touching sensitivity" part of my weirdness is upsetting to my husband
and he has always thought it was about "him". After reading "too loud, too bright, too fast, too tight" I have realized that this all might be an actual "symptom" of sensory defensiveness, which makes me feel better to know it might be something that I can work on.

In summary, I have a plethora of issues, all of which increase my ADD symptoms, because I hyperfocus on these things even if I am medicated (its a little better when I am medicated, but not completely)

The one thing that bothers me the most is the constant physical tension - clenching, picking & pushing on things. I have also noticed that I am getting fearful of walking on sidewalks and streets AND going up and down stairs.

Does anyone have any suggestions for reducing/eliminating this constant muscle tension?