Exaggerated startle reflex - Cerebral Palsy Message Board

nutcase16 · 03-28-2004, 09:05 AM

Hi everyone,
I've had this startle reflex for my whole life. I just learned, however that's it's due to cp. This really gets annoying since there are a lot of loud noises in my life. No one understands that I jump so much because of cp. I can understand that, since I didn't know either, but I'm sick of dealing with it. Does anyone know of a way to repress it?
Thanks

nutcase16 · 03-28-2004, 09:21 AM

I guess I should search more because I just found another thread on this topic...oops...anyway...glad to know that everyone with spastic cp has this...well not glad...but ya know what I mean

Anyway...since I'm the only one in my life who knows it is because of cp...how do I tell people NOW? should I just let it go? I mean I'm almost 18 years old

nutcase16 · 03-31-2004, 04:58 PM

Hmmm...this thread doesn't seem to be doing well........

musicmaker650 · 03-31-2004, 05:19 PM

Yes Nutcase16,

most people with Spastic CP have an exaggerated Startle Reflex, but this reflex is seen in our AB (able bodied) population too

I have found that exercise and good muscle building can keep this reflex down. In my life I have known more women that have had it more severe than men

nutcase16 · 04-01-2004, 08:37 AM

Hi musicmaker650

Yes, I have found that exercising keeps this reflex down. Since I'm in band, the more I tell myself that a bang is coming, the higher I jump when it does. I guess psychology mixed in with it, too then. My mother (who is AB) told me that my dad came up behind her when she was vacuuming and he scared her so bad, she cried.

So, for a while I thought it was heriditary or something. I told her about the different types of cp, and the different limbs cp can affect and she didn't even realize. Guess ya learn something new everyday! Thanks for the info!
-Mollie