Quote:
Originally Posted by Hellion
might as well just get a new and better brain.
See the thing is its not my thinking that is the problem much of the time...if I am under more stress than I can handle it has physical effects and can increase symptoms of my mental conditions...it has nothing to do with how I think.
A cardboard box for example can only handle so much weight on top of it before it collapses or breaks, a person can only handle so much stress or they 'break' so to speak. I have experienced this multiple times and quite certain all convincing myself 'stress is great' would do is make me delusional...since in reality stress can be a bad thing. As I said it really depends on the sort of stress and the level of it and the individuals capacity to handle it...its not a black and white thing that is either all good or all bad.
Anyways not saying its not possible to improve ones mental state or learn better ways of handling stress at all...but to imply people who have trouble handling stress are 'weak' and people who don't are 'strong' is kind of insulting and promotes elitist attitudes which is the main problem I have with the article. I mean I have PTSD, anxiety and aspergers syndrome all of which interfere with my ability to handle stress...I am in therapy and learning some skills but brain plasticity only goes so far so I probably am going to have problems with stress for the rest of my life but should I view myself as a 'weak' person just because I have trouble handling stress and will likely continue to?...I'll say that doesn't do much for my self esteem. I find it better to accept that as a weakness I have...rather than see myself as mentally weak compared to people that don't have as much trouble dealing with stress.
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It really is a combination of things that help - and still it's accepting and understanding things that might not improve as much as we would like to..but how to manage the things that do not get much better with time.
I hate labels..weak, strong, autism, hyper, bi-polar...and so on. Labels may help discuss symptoms and that is all they are good for IMO.
I agree weak and strong are not terms that motivate me. I do not need to be motivated thru intimidation (if you do not do these things you are not considered strong and so on).
I have worked over 3 years with individuals with a program that is based on neuroplasticity - targeting the "learning area of the brain". We work with high achieving brains and brains that struggle with learning. I have seen 1st hand brains change over and over again -permanently for the better.
I've been a teacher and have been a mental health advocate for years. I have
not 1st hand seen research of professionals regarding the other areas of the brain/mental health and neuroplasticity. My mother was bi-polar and I learn very early good and bad about mental illness.
I refer to Dr. Norman Doidge a lot. For many it can be done. I personally do not know of therapists that use this approach - but many are trying to help retrain the brain without calling in neuroplasticity.
My brain did not change without the help of medication, yrs of support and learning and training my own brain - I have more hope than I ever did - based on 1st hand experiences.
In most cases I believe it can get better - according to realistic standards. Thanks for listening
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