Brainy
To state the obvious, the brain is to mentalising what Lindt is to extra-creamy milk chocolate. Home. That's all we have to know about the relationship. Unless we've got BPD, in which case it's pretty essential to get to grips with some of the technicalities so that we:
a. can use the knowledge to fine-tune our mentalising skills. For example, when we're stressed out, we 'switch over' from the fast-thinking, flexible part of our brain (the so-called pre-frontal cortext) to the cerebral dullard, the amygdala. Knowing that this is where our head goes when we're under emotional pressure helps focus our coping techniques to allow for the amygdala's lack of speed and sophistication.
b. can feel less guilt-overwhelmed about behaviour which we recognise (at least after the event) is highly problematic, self-destructive and painful for those around us.
c. can provide more concrete explanations to others about how our brain goes wonky and our responses so extreme when we're stressed out.
d. excel in pub quizes during the obscure psychiatic illnesses rounds.
And just in case anyone asks for proof that there's physiological stuff going on for mental health patients just as there is for people with broken legs and failing kidneys, there's a taster list of relevant research, from http://tinyurl.com/bpdbrains
a. can use the knowledge to fine-tune our mentalising skills. For example, when we're stressed out, we 'switch over' from the fast-thinking, flexible part of our brain (the so-called pre-frontal cortext) to the cerebral dullard, the amygdala. Knowing that this is where our head goes when we're under emotional pressure helps focus our coping techniques to allow for the amygdala's lack of speed and sophistication.
b. can feel less guilt-overwhelmed about behaviour which we recognise (at least after the event) is highly problematic, self-destructive and painful for those around us.
c. can provide more concrete explanations to others about how our brain goes wonky and our responses so extreme when we're stressed out.
d. excel in pub quizes during the obscure psychiatic illnesses rounds.
And just in case anyone asks for proof that there's physiological stuff going on for mental health patients just as there is for people with broken legs and failing kidneys, there's a taster list of relevant research, from http://tinyurl.com/bpdbrains
