Mens sana in corpore sano - Brain science and health
Jan 12, 2013
Thirty years ago (and probably longer, but memory fails me!) when I first studied Neuropsychology, psychologists had little hope for people's continued recovery from brain damage beyond the initial three years post-injury. Now, much has changed, with continued recovery, at least in some areas, now known to continue for much longer -- in some cases for decades! Indeed, "neuroplasticity" -- the brain's capacity for ongoing physical changes as a result of experience -- has become one of Psychology's buzz words in recent years. I also wish to remind you of two upcoming series, one from Psychotherapy Networker, the other from the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM) (both series offering free downloads), and to advise you of some resources available for download right now for free.
Why are these issues important for survivors of chidhood interpersonal trauma? A number of studies have investigated the brain changes consequent upon such trauma. I've attached an annotated bibliography of some articles discussing this [LINK]. Some of the latest studies indicate that experience of different types of abuse may lead on to different forms of brain impairment, with exposure to multiple types of abuse, in particular, leading to corticolimboc dysfunction (Tomoda et al, 2012 [LINK]).
Personally, as I've advised on my website, I'm particularly interested in the first of the sessions from the Psychotherapy Networker series, relevant as it is to survivor issues.
Details of the upcoming series from Psychotherapy Networker are available here: [LINK]
Details of the upcoming series from NICABM are available here: [LINK]
NICABM has made the following resources available for download:
- How Love Rewires the Brain -- article (PDF format) [LINK]
- Everyday Ways to Protect Your Brain -- MP4 video [LINK]
- " " " " " " Citations PDF [LINK]
As mentioned, I think the first session in the Psychotherapy Networker series could be particularly helpful to those supporting and guiding adult survivors. It covers the following issues, presented by Dan Siegel:
- Recognize Patterns of Rigidity vs. Chaos in Psychological Functioning
- Choose Specific Interventions that Target Different Parts of the Brain
- Facilitate Integration Among Distinct Domains of Brain Function
- Apply Mindfulness Practices in Treatment
- Expand Your Use of Self by Increasing Your Own Neural Integration
Clearly, one of the basic psychological processes negatively impacted by childhood trauma is emotion regulation, and this is likely to have a number of bases, as the research of van Harmelen demonstrates -- difficulties in not only emotion regulation, but in recognising other's emotional reactions, with consequent social difficulties. I have reviewed the effects of disturbed early attachment previously -- see my research proposal on my website. Especially in the light of these neuropsychological changes, the well known difficulties with secure attachment that survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma experience, persisting into old age and dementia (see research by Browne and Schlosberg (2006) [LINK] and Osborne et al (2010) [LINK]) really demand a more effective response from therapists -- perhaps brain science can help provide these means -- I draw your attention particularly to the recent article by Thomaes, Dorrepaal et al (2012) -- listed in the attached bibliography. Osborne et al cite Miesen's (1992, 1993, 1999) theoretical assumption that dementia is a loss process that activates the experience of feeling unsafe and the emotional need for the security of an attachment figure. Indeed, I would propose that the difficulties adult survivors have with recurrent depression are tied to recurrent crises, periods of being "unsafe" and the need for secure attachments, even if in only such "instrumental" relationships as with doctors -- relationships they often have great difficulty with -- part of the reason I endeavour to provide "self-help" "psychoeducational" resources.In my next post I'll be reviewing, from this perspective, the recent (2011) PhD of Emiy Murphrey, University of St. Thomas, Minnesota: Effective Treatment of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Early Attachment Trauma. The thesis is available online, but I shall also post it here.