I've been practicing helpful thoughts, in place of unhelpful or self-destructive ones. Neuroplasticity is doing this to re-form the brain. Anyone else know about this? Is anyone else working on re-forming their brain for more self confidence and better relationships?

[turtleman59]

I am not familiar w neuroplasticty. I see a therapist. I could ask her

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[r010159]

Neuroplasticity is nothing special. All it means is the ability for the brain to make new connections. This happens every minute of every day for us. However, I think it is possible for this ability to deteriorate with old age.

[venusss]

indeed.

I am big believer in neuroplasticity. Indeed, YOU can help YOURSELF. Your willpower can do a lot. You can rewire with lots of hard work your brain.

Hello 010159 and Venus, I hope that neuroplasticity isn't more difficult as one ages. I'm 72 y/o and am just really sick-and-tired of being discouraged a lot of the time. So Venus, would you be able to describe your experience with neuroplasticity-making thoughts? For my practice, it's BELIEF, not simply thinking good thoughts.

Originally Posted by turtleman59

I am not familiar w neuroplasticty. I see a therapist. I could ask her

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I'll be very interested in what your therapist says about neuroplasticity. Please do let us know!

[venusss]

I certainly managed to get less anxious in time and more... upbeat and generally stronger. Hard to describe. I am certainly somewhat better and handle the episodes better...

Venus, that's really terrific! Thanks for sharing. Do you still feel like you (at least sometimes) have to force yourself to turn your mind away from self destructive and other discouraging thoughts/belief? I have to be constantly vigilant. I've tried various meditation, positive thinking, and prayer techniques over many years. When I quit one of these, because it has stopped working for me, I backslide.

[venusss]

Yeah, I often use counter thoughts. I get a lot of intrusive thoughts, very visual ones... so I learned to use guided imagery to fight them... in time it becomes automatic.

[desert_rose]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I, too, am going to ask my therapist about this technique.

[Tucson]

Originally Posted by VenusHalley

Yeah, I often use counter thoughts. I get a lot of intrusive thoughts, very visual ones... so I learned to use guided imagery to fight them... in time it becomes automatic.

Please tell me more about guided imagery. My thoughts can be very intrusive and visual, like pictures popping in my head, one right after another.