What the brain looks like for ADHD, OCD, PTSD & DEPRESSION

So sad that people just don't understand that the brain is connected to all these things - ADHD, OCD, PTSD, DEPRESSION, & even ANXIETY.  Many people think that it is made up and we don't have a disability.  There is actually a problem in the brain.  Yes, we can make changes to the brain through our thoughts and learning ways to control our bodies reactions but it take a lot of time and practice.    

You can change your brain!

Today I want you to think about your brain! Do you have control over your brain?  Do you know of ways to make your brain change so you can lead a better life? When meeting for coaching and counseling sessions I am frequently teaching about how the brain works so success can be achieved. This is one of my favorite things to do because we really do have the power to change our brain, emotions, situations, and our lives.  

As many of you also know - I struggle with understanding how the education system does NOT focus on educating students based on how their brains work. I also will NEVER understand how classroom teachers seem to be lacking an understanding that how they, the teacher, interact and teach influences the brain of each student.  I can only assume that teachers are not taught about the brain.  How can a person be in a profession where the brain is so vital in learning, not be taught how that brain works.  School districts are also not educating their teachers about the brain.  I just don't understand.  There is a major disconnect.

Often when I am attending a meeting at a school with parents to help the teachers learn about the student's brain, the teachers seems surprised that their own behaviors impacts a student's learning (or lack of learning).  When I explain that the student is NOT lazy but struggling with, avoidance, depression, anxiety or learned helplessness the teachers seem confused.  When teachers blame a student (or their parents) for the student's difficulties in learning I have to explain in details how the brain works.  I believe every educator needs to be taught about how the brain actually works and about learned helplessness (click to see article).  

Since I love teaching about the brain and learning about the brain I was thrilled to meet Dr. John Arden!  His books have not only been a positive influence in my life personally but also professionally. 

I recommend you read his books and start today on changing your brain!   The more you learn about the brain the more you can make positive changes in your life and the lives of your family.

How technology impacts your brain!

The world we live in is different than previous generations.  One of the reasons is because our brains are different then our past ancestors due to technology. 

Technology gives us instant gratification but the research demonstrates that those who are able to delay gratification are more successful in life (Walter Mischel’s research & the Stanford marshmallow experiment).   Our brains are now conditioned to wanting everything immediately and frustration can occur when we have to wait.  We have instant access to news, information, mental stimulation, and even food.  We watch television shows where there is a quick resolution and people often complain if a movie is over 2 hours long.  Computer games are designed to provide us with just enough rewards to keep us addicted to playing.  Research by Simone Kuhn provides evidence that the brain changes when people play video games.  The left side of the brain called the ventral striatum is the reward and addition center and when stimulated with video games increases in the volume of gray matter making people more likely to continue to play these games.  Changes in this area of the brain also affect decision making and goal setting.  We also have an addition to social media via technology.  We carry our phones everywhere constantly checking emails, twitter, and facebook.  When we do not able to connect to these types of social media we are often thinking about them, what to post, what someone else posted, and if someone commented on our posts.  These are not only addicting and changing our brains but also creating us to be much more egocentric. 

Technology provides us an outlet to be self-centered.  We are often using our phones while waiting in lines, walking around the park, or as we are shopping in a store.  Are we so important that we MUST have these conversations at these times?  When we post on social media it is often related to our own personal feelings, experiences, and opinions.  We are driven to make sure the world know our stance on political or religious beliefs, sometimes to the point that we shove our own point of view into the faces of “friends” on a daily basis!  We all have friends who must post over and over that they are pro this or that!  Enough already, we get it!  Your values are more important than ANYONE else’s; unless they agree with you!  Technology also makes people so egocentric that they think they can say (or type) anything to anyone.  We feel so safe that we often have no filter and therefore no compassion.   When playing video games we feel so empowered that we can demean another person, kill them and then verbally abuse them stating things like “you suck!”  

Technology has created an entitled, addicted, instant gratification, and egocentric society.  We need to realize how our brains have changed and know that we need to make personal changes.  We need to build the empathic centers of our brains.  We need to use technology for good (because it sure isn’t going anywhere).  We need to be mindful and aware of how our brains are changing and make conscious decisions to disconnect for a while.  We need to make purposeful intentions to connect to other human beings face to face.  We need to ask others how they are doing instead of always focusing on ourselves.

 

So today, when the world is spinning out of control go out and have a real conversation with another person.  Talk about what is going on in their life and what are their hopes and dreams.  Be compassionate, have empathy, love, and work on being addicted to living life fully aware and conscious! 

You Can Attend College! So, Think College!

Have you ever thought that you are not smart enough to go to college?  Don't ever limit yourself!  Some Dragonflies just need a few accommodations but others need more intensive accommodations.  

Well, guess what? You can!  Did you know that The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA PL 110-315) enacted in 2008 improves the access to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities?  So even if you have profound Dyslexia or Dyscalculia you can still go to college. 

Check this video out of what it is like for students:  

I'm thinking college - Even with my disability

Colleges around the United States are working to make a difference here's a great website to help you learn more about college options:  Think College! 

Never give up on a dream! 

How the brain works

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore: The mysterious working of the adolescent brain

As a Dragonfly, you already know that your brain is different but you need to know how the brain works, grows, and changes then you need to know exactly how YOUR brain works.  Sarah-Jayne Blakemore does a great job teaching about the brain, especially the adolescent brain!  Enjoy

Joe and his Split Brain Understanding the Right and Left Brain with Alan Alda

I always explain to client, students, friends, and well just about anyone who will listen how our brains work.  Sometimes I can tell that some people either don't believe that we have two hemispheres of the brain or they just can't imagine how each part of the brain does something different (how the right side of the body is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain and so forth).  Here is a great video of Joe, who had his brain divided/split because of his severe epileptic seizures.  Watch this 10 minute video with Joe and Alan Alda and you will be amazed by our wonderful brain!     

Right Brain vs Left Brain with Alan Alda

Cartoon Saturday - right brain fun

Understanding the Teenager Brain - what you need to know by Jill Bolte Taylor

Do you know how your brain works?  The more you understand YOUR brain and how it works the better your life will be and the more control you will feel!  Parents, teachers, and coaches also need to understand the brain, especially the teenage brain!  One of my hero's, Jill Bolte Taylor explains how the teenage brain works.  Don't worry it's only 16 min. long! 
If you are a parent, show this to your children!

Jill Bolte Taylor's Ted talk on the teenage brain

I LOVE MY AMYGDALA! 

Khan Academy helps auditory and visual students learn

Something you should know:

Khan Academy is a great site that can help you learn just about anything and it’s free!  This is especially great if you are a visual/auditory learner.  There are lessons for the following subject areas: Math, Science & Economics, Computer Science, and Humanities.  You can also go to Khan Academy and practice for your SAT math or GMAT. 

So check out Khan Academy an excellent site to help you learn!  You can also get a Khan Academy app on your Ipad, Ipod, Iphone, or smart phone!    

Khan Academy

Our divided brain~ how cool is that!

RSA Animate - The divided brain
Psychiatrist Iain McGlichrist explains our divided brain with really cool animation.  Enjoy!  If you like this go to my business Facebook page at Forest Alliance Coaching to watch a similar video on Changing Education!    

Emotional Pain is REAL

We have learned through research studies with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) equipment that the emotional pain of rejection and exclusion activates the same area of the brain that is activated during physical pain.  This is what happens:  someone feels excluded and immediately brain activity occurs in the dorsal portion of the anterior cingulate cortex.  This is the part of the brain that involves the suffering component of pain.  This is why it hurts so bad to be ignored, excluded, and rejected.  Our brains perceive this as physical pain.   IT IS REAL!

The research also shows that the use of a pain reliever such as Tylenol can help reduce this emotional pain.  Of course, this doesn’t stop us from perseverating on these situations where we feel excluded and in turn causing more pain.  We need to address the whole person and not just mask the symptoms of the pain (but it helps us understand why people get addicted to pain medications).

Research studies have also helped us understand that chronic pain leads to depression and chronic feelings of rejection such as being bullied can also lead to depression.  What we need to do is develop empathy for others and never intend to make another person feel rejected, excluded, or ignored.  So, go out there today and really show you care about others!