Hi! I’m 21 years old and 4 years ago I had to leave Fine Arts University due to my wrists pain. At that moment I was suffering from depression and anxiety and I don’t know what to do right now.
It’s been 4 years and I still have every single day wrist, hand and arm pain even when I’m resting. I went to lots of doctors and every medical test turns out okay and it’s so painful sometimes but there isn’t evidence in any medical test that I have something and I’m desesperate.
Being an artist was my dream but I had to change my entire life to adapt to this situation. I haven’t drawn in years it’s so painful but even daily home chores are painful and I don’t know what to do.
It’s interesting trying a psychological approach but I don’t know where to start, I’m so tired of this. If someone could help me I would be so grateful, thanks.
An app such as Sanvello, Mind Ease or UpLift. (Disclosure: Mind Ease and UpLift are made by companies that are closely related to the one where I work.)
Meditation can be helpful if you want to improve awareness of body and thoughts. But it’s a wide field and there are risks.
Whenever you try an intervention, pay attention to whether it makes you feel less stressed and more relaxed, and whether your wrists feel better.
One physical intervention, just in case: Do you type a lot? If yes, have you tried different keyboards? Most keyboards are fine for most people, so I don’t think you need a super expensive super ergonomic one. But some keyboards give even me trouble and it’s worth ruling that out. Go to an electronics shop and try the keyboards there. Does typing feel better than with your normal keyboard? If you don’t have an electronics shop available, the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard is a safe bet. It’s around 60 USD.
Note that I’m neither a doctor nor a therapist. All the above is based on my personal experience or what I’ve heard.
Hi! I’m 21 years old and 4 years ago I had to leave Fine Arts University due to my wrists pain. At that moment I was suffering from depression and anxiety and I don’t know what to do right now.
It’s been 4 years and I still have every single day wrist, hand and arm pain even when I’m resting. I went to lots of doctors and every medical test turns out okay and it’s so painful sometimes but there isn’t evidence in any medical test that I have something and I’m desesperate.
Being an artist was my dream but I had to change my entire life to adapt to this situation. I haven’t drawn in years it’s so painful but even daily home chores are painful and I don’t know what to do.
It’s interesting trying a psychological approach but I don’t know where to start, I’m so tired of this. If someone could help me I would be so grateful, thanks.
Short answer, if you want to try a psychological approach (hopefully you will get better before you’ve tried all of this):
Read my article carefully several times. If something is unclear, you can ask questions in the comments or send me a private message.
Read John E. Sarno’s The Mindbody Prescription.
Learn cognitive-behavioural (self-)therapy.
There are several options for cognitive-behavioural therapy, from cheap to expensive.
David D. Burns’ book Feeling Great. Review here.
An app such as Sanvello, Mind Ease or UpLift. (Disclosure: Mind Ease and UpLift are made by companies that are closely related to the one where I work.)
A therapist who offers cognitive-behavioural therapy. I don’t have any experience with this, but https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/peer-review-request-depression, the author of which I trust, has a section ‘How can I get a therapist?’.
Meditation can be helpful if you want to improve awareness of body and thoughts. But it’s a wide field and there are risks.
Whenever you try an intervention, pay attention to whether it makes you feel less stressed and more relaxed, and whether your wrists feel better.
One physical intervention, just in case: Do you type a lot? If yes, have you tried different keyboards? Most keyboards are fine for most people, so I don’t think you need a super expensive super ergonomic one. But some keyboards give even me trouble and it’s worth ruling that out. Go to an electronics shop and try the keyboards there. Does typing feel better than with your normal keyboard? If you don’t have an electronics shop available, the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard is a safe bet. It’s around 60 USD.
Note that I’m neither a doctor nor a therapist. All the above is based on my personal experience or what I’ve heard.