It is May in Pennsylvania, and that means that it is 70-something one day and we've got the air conditioner running, and then the next day it's 32 degrees overnight and we've got a freeze.
At this time of year, Jesse (26) always gets extra irritable. I first noticed it when he was around ten years old. Whenever the seasons would change from summer to fall, or winter to spring, he would get extra upset about just about anything.
When I asked him about it recently, he said, "It's either like I'm burning hot or freezing cold." And that made perfect sense to me. He's always inside with his jacket zipped up and his warm hat pulled far down over his head when it's cold outside.
The key seemed to be the fluctuating temperatures. I'm still not sure, but from my 20-year plus studies of Floating Harbor Syndrome and the endocrine system, that seems to be the key. Their endocrine systems (think metabolism, growth, height, development, sleep and mood -- sounds just like FHS issues, right?) are just not functioning properly and they have a really hard time adjusting to anything, whether it be bedtime, a new routine, or the temperature.
What do we do?
1. Allow them to ask to change the temperature. If he's extra hot we may let the house be a little colder and we'll wear sweaters or jackets.
2. Talk to them about it. At our house, it sounds kind of like this:
"Jesse, it is beginning to get warmer now, and you know that that always makes you more cranky. Be aware of that, and try to have extra good self control, okay? Tell me if you are getting too hot or too cold before it really bothers you."
3. Be patient, kind, and ride it out. Their bodies will adjust, eventually.
Note: There is no effective long-term treatment for FHS. The growth hormone shots have not shown long-term results, and often have unwanted side effects. FHS patients usually are not deficient in any hormone; they have plenty of whatever hormones they are supposed to have, their bodies just don't use them in the right way. Someone once said to me, "You can feed a dwarf 6,000 calories a day, but they still won't grow taller."
At this time of year, Jesse (26) always gets extra irritable. I first noticed it when he was around ten years old. Whenever the seasons would change from summer to fall, or winter to spring, he would get extra upset about just about anything.
When I asked him about it recently, he said, "It's either like I'm burning hot or freezing cold." And that made perfect sense to me. He's always inside with his jacket zipped up and his warm hat pulled far down over his head when it's cold outside.
The key seemed to be the fluctuating temperatures. I'm still not sure, but from my 20-year plus studies of Floating Harbor Syndrome and the endocrine system, that seems to be the key. Their endocrine systems (think metabolism, growth, height, development, sleep and mood -- sounds just like FHS issues, right?) are just not functioning properly and they have a really hard time adjusting to anything, whether it be bedtime, a new routine, or the temperature.
What do we do?
1. Allow them to ask to change the temperature. If he's extra hot we may let the house be a little colder and we'll wear sweaters or jackets.
2. Talk to them about it. At our house, it sounds kind of like this:
"Jesse, it is beginning to get warmer now, and you know that that always makes you more cranky. Be aware of that, and try to have extra good self control, okay? Tell me if you are getting too hot or too cold before it really bothers you."
3. Be patient, kind, and ride it out. Their bodies will adjust, eventually.
Note: There is no effective long-term treatment for FHS. The growth hormone shots have not shown long-term results, and often have unwanted side effects. FHS patients usually are not deficient in any hormone; they have plenty of whatever hormones they are supposed to have, their bodies just don't use them in the right way. Someone once said to me, "You can feed a dwarf 6,000 calories a day, but they still won't grow taller."
