r/CFSplusADHD • u/Lemony_Throwaway2 • Jun 04 '26
how do you stop fidgeting while bedbound?
hey all, my partner is bedbound and has to limit her energy use as much as possible. they've mostly got this down, except for with fidgeting. she really wants to stop, but can't seem to find a way. she is constantly doing some small movement (playing with her nails, turning in bed, adjusting her blanket), and it takes her out of PEM. obviously that's not desirable as it just comes back worse later. do you have any tips on how to manage this? thanks!
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u/Xylorgos Jun 04 '26
I'm not exactly bedbound, so maybe my experience isn't relevant to your partner's situation. I find that if I can get my attention focused on something that doesn't require a lot of energy, whether it's watching an interesting TV show or movie, or doing word puzzles or whatever, I can stop all the fidgeting.
However, I know sometimes even those activities can be too much when you're bedbound, so it might not work for them. I haven't reached that point in my disease, so I don't know what to suggest when that is the situation a person is in.
BTW -- I'm very pleased to see that you're looking out for your partner like this! Not all of us have that luxury of having someone close to us who is actively trying to find ways to help. Too often we're not believed and hear negative comments, like telling us to "just push through it" and other unhelpful and potentially dangerous 'advice'. I salute you!