WPC Withdrawal Syndrome
This Congress packed an emotional punch as we came out from behind our post covid screens around the world to meet in person at the 6th WPC in Barcelona. The level of joy and positivity was palpable for those who had last seen each other physically in Kyoto in 2019. The energy of a WPC must be experienced to be understood. A breeding ground for friendships and collaborations with the unique cross fertilization of ideas between people with PD and their loved ones with researchers, neurologists, and health professionals.
Many words were used to describe the experience – powerful, energy, overwhelming. So many people, so much information over 3 days – its like being a kid in a candy shop. People with PD who were more recently diagnosed were like rabbits in headlights just as I was in Kyoto in 2019. In fact, a woman I call a friend now, Carolyn Grafton, whom I met with her husband, Bob Pearson, a veteran living with PD, said the exact words to me ‘I remember you were like a rabbit in headlights but look how far you have come today.’ It was reassuring that the learnings I had taken from Kyoto were having an effect. I came away from that Congress with my own learnings which formed my PD toolkit for the last 4 years. Such was the impact the WPC had on me that it spurred me on to apply to become a WPC Ambassador for Barcelona. I was motivated and energized.
But after this WPC Congress I was exhausted, apathetic, my head full of emotion and memories. I found it hard to process what I had just experienced. And then I realized I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. The intensity of being together boosted my dopamine and no doubt other hormones like oxytocin which is released when we hug each other and there was a lot of hugging at WPC! But suddenly I was alone in my thoughts again and I felt my body and mind slump. I was not alone in this withdrawal sensation as I shared it on twitter – many reported feeling the same way. Jonny Acheson, a doctor with PD in the UK then shared an article on Twitter which discussed how to overcome the post event blues https://speakerhubhq.medium.com/7-practical-ways-to-battle-the-post-event-blues-8600fa62351b.
In a nutshell, the key takeaways are:
1. An Attitude of Gratitude for what we just experienced and what we have in our lives. It can help to shift negative thoughts to more positive ones, helping to lift the apathy. The author suggests “writing a recap on everything that went well, and how you are grateful for everyone and everything that helped the event be a success.”
2. Recover, relax, and reward yourself after an intense experience. Treat yourself kindly, get more rest, relax, unwind. Reward yourself for being brave enough to attend for the first time or for presenting your first poster or talk.
3. Connect with your friends and family after being away. The authors suggest “While your friends might not understand why you feel low after the event, talking about it can help alleviate some of the stress.”
4. Re-introduce routine for yourself. “Maybe you exercised less, or stayed up late, or had to travel more than usual, through different time zones — it can feel like a mental and physical rollercoaster. Go back to the day-to-day habits that work well for your body and mind.” Get sleep back on track and organize your food so you can eat well exercise gently.
5. Set new goals for yourself. “Many people suffering from post-event blues have a sense of purposelessness or apathetic after the event has past. Bring purpose back into the picture by setting goals — looking towards what you want in the future can motivate you to kick the blues to the curb.” Write down your thoughts rather than them swirl in your head making them harder to process.
6. Feedback on your experience. Journal about your own experience but also for the benefit of others in the community, whether that be the advocate, research, or healthcare community. Reach out to those you connected with to nurture friendships and to see what collaborations can happen that may benefit the community.
7. Wrap it up and move forwards. By journaling you can process the overwhelm, take the pieces you want to pursue and start to see your next steps for not only yourself but how you might be able to benefit the community moving forwards.
A week on, I have walked in nature with my dog, connected with my kids and husband, shared the experience with my friends both with and without PD, slept more, ate, and hydrated well, got back into my home and exercise routine. I have reflected on what was an enormous dopamine shot in my arm in attending WPC Barcelona, but I can safely safe I am over my WPC Withdrawal Syndrome.
It is up to me to boost my dopamine at home by continuing an attitude of gratitude for what I just experienced and all the people in it. I no longer feel apathetic but rather ready for what I can do today for a better tomorrow for myself and my family but also the PD community.
Thanks to the World Parkinson Coalition for running the WPC and to Eli Pollard and her part time staff and all the amazing volunteers who continue to make this magic happen. See you at the next WPC!
Richelle Flanagan is a WPC Ambassador, a Registered Dietitian and Co-Founder My Moves Matter.
Ideas and opinions expressed in this post reflect that of the author(s) solely. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the World Parkinson Coalition®