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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
 Posted - 02/02/2013 : 11:29:16
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February 2, 2013
THE DANGERS OF STRAIN
Before we look at the concept of strain it is critical to understand how states like anxiety, depression, negative thought and other damaging habits are formed and maintained.
Most people think of a habit when they think of smoking, drinking or biting their fingernails. A habit is simply brain shorthand.
The brain consolidates a group of thoughts actions and behaviors into a neural pathway that does not require conscious awareness. A good example is learning to drive a car. When we first start driving it takes all of our attention to learn the very basics and even then we are often overwhelmed and make a lot of mistakes.
Once we become proficient we can skillfully drive a car, talk to people in the car, eat, listen to the radio and for some people talk on a cell phone or put on makeup.
The brain has taken all these pieces and created one information package that becomes a neural pathway with all the necessary directions to complete a task. And this is critical: the more you repeat a habit the more the neural pathway becomes deeper and the less we have to be aware of it for it to be enacted.
Example: when was the last time you were really aware of what your right foot was doing on the accelerator.
Here is more critical information: In a process called the Hebbian Response the brain loves neurological shorthand so much it will group seemingly unrelated processes into one habit. Ever noticed when a person smokes they always smoke when they drink.....or you want a sweet treat after dinner...this is not physiology calling...it is a habit Hebbian wired together with food.
So now we understand that habit is mental shorthand and has become a neurologic, hardwired pathway that can manifest without our conscious awareness. And we also know that multiple habits can become rewired into one......
Children who grow up in stressful situations or what neurophysiologists call ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences develop many dysfunctional patterns.
The focus of this article is on one pattern: Strain. Before the age of six years old children have what is known as adolescent amnesia. While they remember some major events they may lack access to the feelings associated with occurrences and in fact many occurrences are never consolidated into explicit memory. This is primarily because they do not have a fully functioning cortex and operate primarily from the limbic system or the feeling and emotional part of the brain at an early age.
One way human beings cope with difficult, painful or adverse times is through body tension and mental strain.
Young children are especially prone to strain mentally and to attempt to process and understand their environment with great effort, when the reasoning part of the brain is not fully developed.
Children who grow up with ACE experiences or are deeply wounded often develop a part of the personality the could best be called the Tyrannical Caretaker. This personality part becomes charged with being on the lookout for any possible threat to protect the core organism. It has little interest in how miserable it can make the host, how much physical pain or illness it creates or anything short of annihilation of the organism.
The more we allow the tyrannical caretaker to be in control the more we find threats in common everyday life. A rope on the sidewalk becomes a snake, a voice tone is misinterpreted as a personal threat or a new skin blemish just may be cancer. Based on the common Pavlovian theory of habit each time the tyrannical caretaker engages a perceived threat awareness the neural tracts are carved deeper and the less cognitive awareness we have of the process.....Unless We Act!
This early childhood learning easily becomes a lifelong habit etched so deeply in the brain that were not even aware of its of its existence. The old colloquial saying that someone has pushed your buttons is an indication of a learned, subconscious neural pathway.
Since the human brain requires a disproportionate amount of energy it attempts conserve that energy by believing that whatever it did yesterday is what it needs to do today...... unless acted upon by learning or an outside force.
Once the habit of strain becomes unconscious we have the setting for physical and mental health issues. No organism or even a machine can operate under high levels of stress without eventual breakdown.
The major problem we encounter with any habit, especially one that's causing significant health issues is that we probably are not aware of its existence-which is the first stage of correcting a problem.
People with mental and physical strain habits tend to be type A, perfectionistic, intelligent, willful, impatient, overly concerned and often quite competent in some life areas. However they also call upon the mind and bodies to produce beyond the capacity of ease. With unrecognized effort they simply write overdrawn checks from an empty account.
Childhood stress also creates another problem that reinforces this process: denial and personal deception. This is when reality is painful or they cannot make sense out of what they are feeling they move out of the body (and feeling) and into cognitive distortions or fantasy. This then becomes another habit and one that blocks awareness of internal states.
This pattern of strain has a direct effect on the central nervous system which has major effect on every cell of the body. It disrupts hormonal, digestive, biochemical, bioelectrical, mental processes, musculoskeletal tension and adversely alters virtually every body system. For this reason the symptoms manifest can be in the hundreds and defy the conceptual process a physician uses to diagnose and treat. It is common for patients to be poly drugged as the clinician tries to cover multiple symptoms with no awareness of the core issues.
Unfortunately the human brain does not have a delete button, there's no way to remove stored memories that are neurological brain tracks. What the brain does is a process called extinction. When a set of habits or behaviors are no longer used the brain lessens or stops firing down those tracks. The brain figures if the human owner does not see them as being important it no longer gives them a priority. But, to engage the extinction process it is absolutely necessary to lay down new habit tracks.
While some people attempt to utilize generalized affirmations and they may be minimally effective was is really required is mindfully being aware of the barely perceptible subconscious thoughts and choosing a “personalized” thought and behavior in direct opposition to the previous programming.
This requires extreme diligence and a lot of hard work, the subconscious awareness are often only a microsecond in length. They can come as a thought, a drive, or an emotion.
Once you capture and become aware of this deep internal programming you can make the choice to choose differently. Each time we choose differently were our beginning the extinction process of the old programming.
An example: when the tyrannical caretaker says, “I feel so bad, I will never feel better.” This caretaker has said this, not because it ultimately wants you feel bad but because in having this awareness you will be vigilant for any future threat. So when this thought or emotion makes its milli-second appearance we can be mindful and start the process of extinction and reprogramming.
We also need to be mindful that 99% of the material that has the most significant effect on our lives is beneath awareness....when a blip of buried awareness surfaces it is a gift of great significance. The more we are ensconced in ego defenses the less these will manifest.
We must be aware that we can't BS the subconscious or the tyrannical caretaker. If we are not actually doing our work is not going to believe that anything is ever going to change or be different- this includes if we doing the wrong or inappropriate work....or if we just dabbling in recovery.
So when tyrannical says you are never going to feel any better you can respond: “I trust my process that is leading me to healing and peace, and I am achieving it'.”
The litmus test if we are still engaging the strain habit is if our endeavors are ones engaged with the following positive attributes: calmness – patience – forgiveness – lack of willful engagement, peace and ease.
Anything less than this and were digging the hole of dysfunctional habits and suffering ever deeper!
Dr. Rik |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 11:48:21
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| Thanks for this thoughtful article. How do we know we are making progress when in reality, and after much effort, we don't actually feel any different? If one knows they are on the right track they can be patient and trust the process, but if following a course of action does not give the desired outcome after the elapse of quite a bit of time, and a whole lot of effort, when is the cut off time to say this is not working and I need to re-examine what I am doing? |
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 11:52:28
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Good Question Shawn
For me I am discovering it has to come from my inner spirit. Through meditation and lots of quiet time I am learning to sort the wheat from the chaff - not an expert by any means.
What I learned in 9 years of college is useless. The whole paradigm of psychiatry - psychology and medicine is way off base.
One thing I learned in early work with patients and is true for me is that the most important door to open is the last one we want to enter.
Namaste' |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 12:29:53
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| I briefly read this post and this is very very good and is the truth. Basically what I had on my keys to recovery. I'm glad you could also present this in a different angle to help others also. |
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wrldtrv
666 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 12:36:24
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| Dr Rik, is this something you wrote or an article? I like the message and it seems to align well with all the latest what we know of how the brain works. For example, I am sort of a hypochondriac. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is generally considered the rx for this, but I have found that the cognitive part is nearly useless. Only the BEHAVIORAL part works for me. That is, I must take action (run the marathon), and when I do, I prove to my brain that there is really nothing wrong with me! Unfortunately, this is not a one-time thing; action must be repeated over and over and over, gradually extinguishing the prior programming and changing the brain for the good. |
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pan
United Kingdom
173 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 12:42:52
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quote:
Originally posted by wrldtrv
Dr Rik, is this something you wrote or an article? I like the message and it seems to align well with all the latest what we know of how the brain works. For example, I am sort of a hypochondriac. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is generally considered the rx for this, but I have found that the cognitive part is nearly useless. Only the BEHAVIORAL part works for me. That is, I must take action (run the marathon), and when I do, I prove to my brain that there is really nothing wrong with me! Unfortunately, this is not a one-time thing; action must be repeated over and over and over, gradually extinguishing the prior programming and changing the brain for the good.
Totally agree with this. I think that the Cognitive aspect of CBT is far over hyped and that real gains, improvements and cure is located in the realm of behaviour. I think you tend to see this on forums and the like which are often incredibly focused on theory and cognitive understanding of the theory which often bogs us down and we lose sight of the actual doing.
Wake me up with your amphetamine blast
Take me by the collar and throw me out into the world
Rock me gently & send me dreaming of something tender
I was brought here to pay homage to the beat surrender
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plum
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 12:47:53
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Excellent piece that consolidates the whole shebang. I thank you muchly for this. The crossovers of neuropsychology and the contemplative traditions are nudging us towards that paradigm shift.
Most of all I love your humility. I like the work-in-progress answer you gave Shawn. It's one thing to intellectually understand this stuff, quite another to *get it*.
Welcome to the forum my dear. |
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 13:14:07
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This is my personal writing after years of study and education. I am finding that the hard core medicine, psychology and science I was trained in is missing the most critical pieces.
I have also been a student of the ancient wisdom traditions for many years. Unfortunately I was not able to internalize either very well. Now 6 years of intense suffering has done what Kahlil Gibran says about pain cracking the shell of our understanding....or at least starting too!
I am starting to see all the years of research come together into something cohesive....I am excited and still very early in the process. |
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 13:22:25
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I was trained in cognitive therapy – once again I believe the truth is inside the dogma...much like religion where the truth has been obscured by a religious agenda the real methods hidden inside cognitive therapy have been sacrificed to academia masturbation.
I liken it to Microsoft Word – the talking geek heads wrote 600 pages to tell us how and 99% of us only need one page....so we miss the point!!
In my morning meditation I was challenged to write on this subject and I will soon. I am becoming aware that harmony is the source of healing and in the entire universe only man is or can chose to be out of harmony – thoughts are a gateway to harmony!! |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 13:30:29
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| Actually domesticated animals can come out of harmony as well |
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shawnsmith
Czech Republic
2048 Posts |
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 14:15:19
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Ace
Like food and the environment domestic animals only lose harmony when entrained by humans...and still they are more true to their
created intention than most humans.
Humans have created such dissonance that we entrain many things in our environment...and have or will pay for it...
Nature ALWAYS Bats Last !!
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eric watson
USA
601 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 14:17:25
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yes-its all lifeward toward harmony
its all about living lifeward with your thoughts
at all times-but it takes lots of discipline
and long before you reach the brook
you get to drink the water. |
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Ace1
USA
1040 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 14:26:01
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| That's right that's the only reason they come out of harmony, which is bc of their strained masters |
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njoy
Canada
188 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 15:41:01
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Well, I do think that predators (ex: a hunting party of lions) can throw their prey (ex: a herd of gazelles) into chaos. I suppose the lions might find it easier to catch a gazelle if they are darting around inharmoniously. Poor gazelles let the strain get to them!
Other aspects of nature, like drought or an approaching tornado, could also cause a deviation from harmonious behavior.
Although, seen from a more elevated perspective, even inharmony could be harmonious. Time to quit ... |
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plum
United Kingdom
641 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2013 : 16:30:13
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What seperates men from animals?
Divorce.
(I know. I know.) |
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mala
Hong Kong
774 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 05:54:37
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Great article Dr Rik. There were many things that you wrote about in which I saw myself. I remember as a child when I wrote, I would hold my pencil very tightly & press very hard on the paper with my pencil. I still do that but am more conscious about it.I had some issues growing up & I now see that the strain that I was going thru emotionally manifested itself as physical strain.
2 days ago my mother asked me to write something for her. She had a handwritten old recipe in Hindi which had faded & she wanted me to copy it for her. Even though there was no pressure on me to complete the task immediately I sat down to write and within 2 minutes noticed I was really straining. I took a deep breath & started to notice my state of mind . To my surprise i noticed that there was slight resentment, slight annoyance & an urgency to do the task quickly but also perfectly because I had been told my penmanship was 'so neat & legible'.
I took a deep breath & very deliberately made myself relax, to stop hunching my shoulders & to enjoy my task.
Mala
Mala Singh Barber. I'm on facebook. Look me up
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 06:20:05
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| Yes and when I go into a large store I start our walking slowly and breathing and before long I am walking very fast |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 06:53:38
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Maybe that's why the turtles live much longer than the lions.
When I was young I notice that in my country the old farmers, who never go to doctor, who has so little, would live much healthier and longer than city folks. I thought maybe the air is cleanner in the countryside, or the food is fresher and contain no chemicals. Now thinking back, they did lived life at a much slower pace than people in the city. They have a routine, no pressure, no surprise, they don't see the need to speed up like us in the city. The only time I see them doing thing fast is when they have to catch some pigs or chickens for their dinner.
But now I wonder why Olympians live longer than average folks. They did lived an intense life, speed, rush, competition,...
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/health/time-olympians-live-longer/index.html
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No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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All1Spirit
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 07:24:50
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If you want to know why the famers lived longer read the book: Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. We are designed for short bursts of stress then long periods of monotony. The drip-drip stress of modern society is more damaging than a death or isolated calamity.
Also as those athletes life span goes: we now know that people who exercise more than an hour a day with intensity often have heart disease and more intense exercise shuts down the immune system and women's hormones. When I ran competitively I had many viruses and once I stopped I have almost none. |
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balto
839 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2013 : 08:24:46
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quote:
Originally posted by All1Spirit
If you want to know why the famers lived longer read the book: Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. We are designed for short bursts of stress then long periods of monotony. The drip-drip stress of modern society is more damaging than a death or isolated calamity.
http://www.g2gfitness-mma-ccoach-sthqld.com/resources/Sapolsky%20why%20Zebras%20don't%20get%20ulcers.pdf
That's link of copy of the book you've mention above. Not sure if this is copyright violation, but that's what I found after a google search for the book.
Thanks.
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No, I don't know everything. I'm just here to share my experience. |
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Dangers of Strain (Long)
