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Introduction to the Human Givens Approach Investigation of Human Nature shows that nature anticipated human creativity often by millions of years. How the brain functions:- Three parts of brain Reptilian Limbic Neo-cortex. Objectives.
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Introduction to theHuman Givens ApproachInvestigation of Human Nature shows that nature anticipated human creativity often by millions of years How the brain functions:- Three parts of brain Reptilian Limbic Neo-cortex
Objectives • To increase awareness of the ‘neuropsychological’ basis of the human condition - ‘what makes us (& others) tick’ • To better understand behaviours as coping mechanisms, a way of ‘controlling’ emotions • To develop ideas for practical strategies and options for ‘ways forward’ • To understand the potential for the Human Givens approach
‘To fall into a habit is to begin to cease to be’Miguel de Unamuno‘It is more important to know the person who has the disease than it is to know the disease’ Sir William Osler
Outline • Introduction: Basic emotional needs Brain function and pattern- matching (what makes us tick) The REM state (dreaming and learning) The significance of anxiety & depression • Practical implications for more effective care and support
Basic emotional needs • To give & receive attention • The need for intimacy • The need for social connection to the wider world • The need for meaning, purpose and goals • The need for status & emotional connection • The need for creativity & stimulation • The need for a sense of autonomy and control
Resources • Complex, long-term memory • Ability to empathise & connect with others • Imagination • A conscious, rational mind (left brain) • To understand the world unconsciously through metaphor and pattern-matching (right brain) • An ‘observing self’ (the ability to ‘step back’ – frontal lobe activity) • A dreaming brain
About the brain ... • Skills are based on knowledge - innate or learned • Primitive vs. evolved brain function • The brain works principally through an infinitely rich pattern-matching process • Emotion comes before thought; all thought is ‘fuelled’ by emotion • The higher the emotional arousal, the more primitive the emotional/mental pattern that is engaged = locked attention….PTSD…… can’t think our way out of a situation….. ….why CBT is limited in trauma
‘A.P.E.T’ • Aactivating agent • Ppattern-matching • Eemotion • Tthought The role of the ‘amygdala’ in everyday life (the ‘danger sensor’….real or imagined)
Symptoms of Clinical DepressionDiagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Five or more of the following (inc. either of the first two) for a period of two weeks = major depression • Depressed mood • Loss of pleasure or interest in usual activities • Disturbance of appetite • Sleep disturbance • Psychomotor retardation or agitation (apathy or restlessness) • Loss of energy • Feelings of worthlessness/guilt • Difficulties in thinking • Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide
‘Attributional style’ and depression ‘Black & white’ (‘perfectionist’) thinking and the way we make sense of the world …the ‘meanings’ we attribute to events…. • How personallywe take events • How pervasivewe view events to be • How permanent we think an event is
REM & dreaming ... • Instinctive templates programmed during REM in foetus and neonate - incomplete templates • Activation of instinct-driven pattern deactivated by carrying out behaviour - impractical • Dreaming - metaphorical translations of waking introspections • REM - internally focused trance state (attempt to complete template)
The Cycle of Depression • Setback + too much emotion + pessimistic/perfectionist outlook = catastrophising! • Emotional arousal = ‘black & white’ thinking = more emotion = less ‘intelligent’ thinking • Excessive introspection = more pressure on dreaming process (= distorted REM sleep) = physical exhaustion & more depression ...
I/we have a problem Less change Who/what is causing it? Less emotional energy Blame Less co-operation Problem-Focused Cycles What is the problem?
Notice the solution happening More change Who/what helped? More emotional energy What did you do? More co-operation Solution-Focused Cycles What do we see as being the answer?
Ways Forward … I • Separate the person from the problem • Lower emotional arousal - define something relaxing ... - diaphragmatic (‘7/11’) breathing - muscle tension/relaxation - formal ‘trance’ induction
Ways Forward … II • Awareness of ‘nominalisations’ • Reflective re-framing (‘widening, deepening and enriching existing patterns of perception’) • Use language which presupposes positive change
Reframing • How to look at something differently • Use of language • Use of story • Telling the story in the third person (Thus breaking the trance/emotional arousal/black and white rigid thinking)
Ways Forward … III • Evidence change - ‘SUDS’ (‘subjective units of distress’ scale!) • Rehearse success: set a goal and agree a strategy - at every opportunity • Metaphor & storytelling • Humour! a holistic view...
Working DefinitionofInsanity … Doingthesame things day after day and expecting things to be different tomorrow ...