Trying to figure out BPD is quite confusing. And then working on recovery is even harder, when we don't understand what's going on to us. I know it sounds strange, but the first thing that needs to be understood is how the brain works.
It's obvious that we need to start where we process information and then make decisions from the infromation. Guess what even emotions are processed by our brains, even though its felt in the heart.
How the brain works.
Traumatic External Event --------> brain process determining what type of threat it is.------------->Anxiety / Fear (Fight / Flight)--->Brain sends messages to Autonomic Nervous System (controls unconscious bodily functions)Alerting the body to Release chemicals that Raise heart beat and blood pressure Muscels tense up (adrenaline)-------------------------> neurons are firing rapidly the brain is assessing info, making decisions on how to survive. ----------------> Chemicals to glue newly formed pathways for future use (just in case) -----------------------> Once action is determine the brain will send the message to "GO" newly formed pathways for future use (just in case)
Let's say that this trauma is a regular event in a persons life. Those newly formed pathways, get used so often that our brain concretes them. And over time, the triggers get more and more sensitive- just about any event that is similar to the first trigger will set off the brain to go back down that pathway.
The initial pathway was designed to ensure survival. Years later, the survival skill was used in similar situations but now they are not appropriate. The good news, is that understanding how your brain works, it's not too late to learn new skills called coping skills that will be healthy and get you to your goals.
Guess what- the less you use old survival skills- they actually begin to die- where those pathways that resided in your brain- once they go unused- the less the blood flows to those paths. And the more you use new skills, the more blood flows and new neural pathways are created- they become hardwired.
It's possible!
Happy thoughts towards recovery!!!!
Jenn
p.s. please let me know if this made sense. comment please!!!!
Becoming Real in a BPD World
The Velveteen Rabbit
By Margery Williams
"What is REAL?" asked the rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse, "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the rabbit
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?" he asked,"or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," replied the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily, or who have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of you hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
By Margery Williams
"What is REAL?" asked the rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse, "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the rabbit
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?" he asked,"or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," replied the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily, or who have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of you hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
Sunday, July 29, 2007
BPD and Brain Function
Labels:
borderline personality disorder,
bpd,
mental health,
recovery
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