I am currently re-reading Norman Doidge's book, "The Brain That Changes Itself". The book deals primarily with how the brain can be rewired in order to deal with various types of mental conditions.
There are two key laws of neuroplasticity which are highlighted in the book. (Neuroplasticity is the term used to indicate that the brain retains plasticity, or in other words, the ability to be rewired.) We retain the ability to make some changes to how our brains operate throughout most of our lives in order to cure or mitigate many agonizing conditions.
The first law or principle is the finding that "neurons that fire together wire together" and the second is the finding that "neurons that fire apart wire apart".
To illustrate these principles, I will refer to the anxiety condition of "obsessive compulsive disorder" (OCD). By doing something else - something pleasurable - instead of performing the compulsion, individuals suffering from OCD form a new circuit that is gradually reinforced in place of the compulsion. And, by not acting on the compulsion in the first place, the link between the compulsion and the idea that it will ease anxiety is weakened. Weakening the link is crucial because while acting on a compulsion eases anxiety in the short term, it worsens the condition of OCD in the long term. As individuals apply themselves, this 'manual gear shift' becomes more automatic. The episodes become shorter and less frequent and although relapses occur, especially during times of high stress, regaining control comes about more quickly.
D.
The Brain That Changes Itself, Norman Doidge, M.D., Penguin Books 2007, p. 174.
About Me
- Deborah K. Hanula
- Deborah K. Hanula has a year of Journalism training from Humber College, a Political Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she has Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Psychology, and Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Family Life Educator and Coach Certificate and Certificates in Reflexology, Assertiveness Training, and Mindfulness Meditation. She is the author of five cookbooks, primarily concerned with gluten-free and dairy-free diets, although one pertains to chocolate. As an adult, in the past she worked primarily as a lawyer, but also as a university and college lecturer, a tutor, editor, writer, counsellor, researcher and piano teacher. She enjoys a multi-faceted approach when it comes to life, work and study, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. Check out her new book: A Murder of Crows & Other Poems (2023).
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