The Complex, Capable, and Connected Nature of the Brain

Thrive • Mar 15, 2022

By Thrive Waco’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Marguerite ‘Peggy” Addison, APRN, PMHNP- BC

Often considered the most complex organ in the human body, the brain is intricately intertwined with mental, physical, and behavioral health — essentially, our entire well-being. Its capability spans cognitive processes, emotional regulation, bodily functions, and the way we behave.

While the scientific community has learned a lot about human brains, there is still much to be discovered. There’s no wonder that so many myths revolve around the brain’s processes.

FIVE MYTHS ABOUT HOW THE BRAIN FUNCTIONS

Myth #1: When it comes to brain functioning, it’s downhill after 40.

Brain function does change as individuals age, just as the entire body does. It’s true that these changes may involve the degradation of cognitive skills, including the speed at which the brain processes information, memory functions, and attention skills. Notably, however, many mental abilities that rely on lived experience actually improve, including vocabulary, emotional regulation, social cue interpretation, and character judgment.

Myth #2: Brains cannot be rewired.

The brain possesses the quality of neuroplasticity, which is its amazing ability to adapt in structure and function due to changing circumstances and in response to experiences. Some parts of the brain can even compensate for other parts, especially when injuries occur. For example, if the frontal lobe is damaged from an impact, other regions of the brain can learn to work around the injury. This rewiring can be aided by occupational therapy .

Myth #3: The brain cannot grow new cells.

While some areas of the brain are unable to grow new cells, researchers have discovered that new cell growth can occur in the hippocampus — an area of the brain that is integral to learning and memory.

Myth #4: A person’s brain matures between ages 18 and 21.

The prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain critical for rational thinking and decision making, doesn’t fully develop until about age 25. While adults use their prefrontal cortex for thought processing, youths and adolescents typically rely on the amygdala to process information, which is the area of the brain closely associated with emotion.

Myth #5: You have to lose consciousness to suffer a concussion or brain injury.

Individuals can in fact experience brain injuries without ever losing consciousness. Many activities and accidents can jostle the brain enough to cause a concussion without the person being aware of the injury.

THE BRAIN’S ROLE IN MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

The brain is not only extremely complex and capable, but it’s also connected to all aspects of well-being. The mind and body connection is so strong that mental health can greatly impact physical health. For example, anxious or depressed thoughts can result in inflammation throughout the body. On the other hand, mindfulness practices have been shown to decrease symptoms of inflammation.

Understanding the internal processes of the brain is crucial for overcoming mental and behavioral conditions. When brain function is taken into account, mental and behavioral conditions such as eating disorders become treatable conditions. Knowledge that the brain plays a leading role in mental and behavioral conditions can empower individuals to seek professional mental health support instead of considering their condition as a source of shame. For example, when individuals realize that an eating disorder is not a matter of weakness but rather a result of the way their brain functions, they can address their condition through clinical treatment.

HEALING FOR THE MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT

At Thrive, our mental and behavioral health specialists honor the brain-body connection through targeted treatment intended to heal the whole person. Learn more about our mental and behavioral health services by reaching out .

About the Author

Thrive Waco Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Marguerite ‘Peggy” Addison, APRN, PMHNP- BC

Peggy is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, MSN, and is Board Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center to treat all ages.

She received her RN from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana and her Masters in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) where she received multiple clinical excellence awards, was a member of Sigma Theta Tau Honorary Society, and was named a “University Scholar”.

Peggy has 13 years of experience as a PMH-NP treating multiple diagnoses, specializing in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, with a special interest in perinatal psychiatry and eating disorders. Prior to becoming an NP, she had 16 years of in-patient psychiatric experience as an RN working in adolescent and adult psychiatry, alcohol, and addiction units, including six and a half years as head nurse on the psychiatric intensive care unit at The Methodist Hospital in Houston.

She is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, Texas Nurse Practitioners, Texas Nurse Practitioners of North Texas, the Neuroscience Education Institute, Postpartum Support International, and

The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals. Peggy has been a preceptor/ graduate clinical instructor for UTA since 2009 and formerly an undergraduate clinical instructor for Texas Woman’s University from 2009-2011.

Peggy works collaboratively to diagnose and treat mental health disorders and emphasizes a comprehensive approach of healthy lifestyle changes along with therapy to reach optimal functioning.

When not working she enjoys time with family, travel, reading, needlework, and water activities.

The post The Complex, Capable, and Connected Nature of the Brain first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.