Stress of Public Speaking and "Rejection" Stressors and Inflammatory Response Study on WebMD

Very interesting.....

I was always the one in the back, trying to not be seen as I knew I'd be picked last, teased, etc etc etc.    When I started working, I was soon given some high profile cases and I found myself sitting in rooms with people with a LOT of power and they were all looking at me.   I was beyond overwhelmed.   I couldn't seem to sit up and speak out.

So, I forced myself to start doing trainings for foster parents through my agency.   I HATED it at first, getting in front of the room and having questions thrown at me, I would go home nearly in tears.   It took about a year before I found my feet and was able to handle a roomful of people.

Then, I realized, I kind of liked it!  I became a ham!   I did as many trainings as I could, and always had lots of offers because I got good reviews.    I then switched my job and it became very high profile myself and I found myself in rooms with MORE powerful people than I did initially.   And I came out on top every time.    I became an expert witness for child abuse cases, I testified before the state senate about the deplorable condition of our child protection laws, and I felt useful.    And, I did feel better about myself during those years.    

Very interesting indeed!   Thanks Mardy!

 

As I was reading this, I just have so much pridefull feeling that you're writing on Lumigrate, for one thing, Aimee.  I think you're tremendous since I saw the interview you did on your local TV station which so aptly was FMS: 101 in my mind. 

I appreciate the way you share your story, as I did when the woman interviewing you 'came out of the fibromyalgia closet' that day with you.  I hope that all these things serve to not only inspire others whether they have chronic wellness or chronic illness, to work on themselves to be more who they want to be, but to provide those of us who are having to 'work differently' now that we've had chronic illness or health/body issues a VERY rewarding place to 'be'.

While you were posting this wonderful Comment (thank you, as always for all you do here!), I was on the phone having someone I've LOOOONG wanted to write at Lumigrate saying 'yes, I'm ready to do that now, thanks' -- we ran out of time due to our busy lives but it's basically going to be related to having a circle of women and people from all over be able to come together in a circle and work on growth through accountability and other key concepts this 'new writer' is so masterful at understanding. 

I'll be sending this along to her to look at so she can see what she's getting into!  Man oh man, imagine trying to take US further on our road to recovery and actualization?  Completely kidding!  I can only imagine that she is going to say 'wow, this is going to be cool!' based on the basis of people we have on Lumigrate now, such as yourself!  

I'm going to remind people that Aimee earner her invitation from me to host her own Forum on Lumigrate when I saw her interview on TV when she so quietly posted it one day this winter/spring.  Well, I'd been asking you gently for a while... putting it out there, waiting for the right time and then when I saw the interview I picked up the phone and called you if I recall correctly.  And the timing was right for you to agree (thankfully!).  The interview can be found here in the Forums, Fibromyalgia section (which is green header, third one down), the topmost forum is about Top Picks on Lumigrate about Fibromyalgia, and I hope people go to watch it and be inspired.  To know you have these layers you've just described of speaking and presenting is interesting and inspiring to ME.  You clearly prepared for the interview and did a wonderful job.  Next time I hope 'we' can hear or see you being in a setting where you can let that 'ham' out!  

Oh, did I mention WE HAVE A PODCASTING STUDIO NOW?  We can have locals (who I'm selecting in a balance with the national people) in the studio here in Grand Junction and then Skype in those from remote areas or who don't have time to drive across town (or to be more 'green').  

Wonderful contribution, Aimee... uncannily perfect today of all days, considering the newer people who are coming to write, their backgrounds and having this here for them to get to know you a bit through! ~~ Mardy

Excellent initial post and love the comments after!! Very well put! I believe Aimee is doing great things and is greatly impacting those who she comes in contact with! And in combination with Mardy's knowledge, really brings out the best information in an easy to understand way!!

I am happy to be part of the Lumigrate group. I think it is absolutely wonderful the amount of well qualified and knowledgeable people who are on the site! It really goes to show you that you can get credible information from the Internet!! 

 

-Candace

I wanted to come back here (fall 2011) and let people know that I'm continuing to have more to say and put on Lumigrate about "Adverse Childhood Experiences"/ACE.  So please Search on ACE here at Lumigrate and read the coverage about it if you're interested in healing your health.  There is even information on the research connecting stress in childhood to autoimmune disease in adulthood!  I believe there are MANY aspects to wellness, by treating the mind/body/spirit which has had assaults on those frontiers/aspects of the human being, and no matter what a person's economic abilities or disabilities there are many things that can be helpful each day or moment related to health.  One might be doing expensive dental amalgam removal and chelation OR they may have $0 of extra funds to be applying at the time to their health and be focusing on deep breathing, mindfulness, and and switching foods they eat and what they drink, sometimes simply focusing on improving the toxins they get from water.  

Here's to improved health through learning! Thank you for being here -- continue on! Mardy 

This is so "up my alley" personally and professionally!! Public speaking on national level (Surgeon General Koop's National conference, + many more), resourcing out to universities nationwide and teaching at 2 Mississippi universities; AND I wonder why I have FMS!

I didn't fear rejection as much as I expected myself to do everything "right".  My last work was with a state agency in Mississippi. I had flawless audits until 2004, then I was no longer "perfect".  Six years passed and my perfect job performance continued to decline!

Not diagnosed with FMS until 3 months before I was forced to retire while on FMLA!!!! Now, that was "Rejection" with a cap. 'R'!! I worked on a program I had helped pioneer in our state and no one seemed to care what was happening to me, only that I was not bringing in the Medicaid $$ I had been!!

OH Well! Thank you Lord! 'Cause my family needs me more than anyone!! BUT, in a Nutshell! That's REJECTION and "my 9/11" -- or big identifiable event!

Being the pyschologist I am » Love to All! I'm a stronger person today!!!

Love this!! I want to read this study!! Few realize the negative impact which all forms of rejection have on our minds and bodies! Thank you for bringing this to medical and public attention!!!

 You have quite a lot to offer here related to embellishing with comments.  You have a unique professional background and I've seen many people say there was such a silver lining to their having to take time away from their previous work endeavors.  I just hope that the information here will help people then be able to get BACK to wellness and to whatever they want to 'do' with their time, professionally with a vocation or their avocations (hobbies and interests).