Quote:
Originally Posted by fern46
My entire approach to wellness relies on my belief we can absolutely reprogram. That takes knowledge of how the brain, emotions, and the body process data... I feel you cannot just tackle it from one direction as the systems are completely integrated. The spirit must be accounted for as well. Dysfunction manifests differently in each system. They all have their own mode of operation.
It is like changing one IT system within a networked solution. When you adjust something you must also underatand all of its integration layers and adjust those to accommodate the shift you've created or else you create problems within all of the systems downstream like dominoes falling.
The brain is dynamic and it rewires constantly based upon pattern. Chemical emotional responses are the same. It takes a great deal of will and conscious focus sometimes, but I feel operating systems can be upgraded when they prove to be dysfunctional.
In Whatever's case, I believe her recognition of patterned behavior is an excellent start to a shift. We have to observe and know our patterns if we hold hope for shifting them. Step 2 is understanding root cause. I also definitely think it is possible she could experience the symptoms of one disorder while depressed and not while neutral or manic.
As for psychopaths, perhaps their shift is integrated to such a degree the effort required to reprogram would prove to be too great. Perhaps their shift places them in a state where understanding how to reprogram is impossible. I can see that being the case, but with all of these 'disorders' those who have them are unique and on a spectrum. I hold the belief that a specific psychopath could experience change given the right circumstances. Just because we do not currently know the proper strategy to apply does not mean to me that one does not exist. Free will is gifted to all equALLy.  |
I do generally agree with this for most people and most disorders. However, as I have stated before, it is my personal opinion, and experience, that some of those with severe iterations of antisocial personality disorder, particularly of the psychopathic subtype, simply lack the neural pathways to support anything approximating normal emotional human fucntioning. Now, the really fascinating question is, can those absent pathways be created anew, or, can some kind of workaround using other pathways they do possess and can use, be created and relied upon? For now, it appears the "experts" are divided, with those of a more psychology background/bent believing it may well be possible for some and those of a more neuroradiology/neuro background feeling it is likely not anatomically or electrically possible.
But you know, stroke victims sometimes improve miraculously, right? They walk and speak again. Same with TBI people. So, why not these folks, too? I think one of your last comments is the most sage one. Just because we don't know how to do it today does nto mean it is not possible. Who would have thought we could transplant a pancreas 100 years ago?
In time, it is just an opinion, but I believe some of these personality disorders will be shown to clearly have a neuroanatomic basis, that they are reall illnesses. It will be interesting to wach...