Posted by Larry Hoover on November 6, 2004, at 11:20:46
In reply to Ego states and brain research, posted by Aphrodite on November 6, 2004, at 9:13:51
> He said that there is new research going on that shows that each ego state has it's on neural pathways. Some ego states may have been damaged, but others function and thrive. The goal is to integrate or to at least strengthen the ego states that have better pathways.
Perhaps even just linking the better pathways is enough?
> For me, that would mean that little Aphrodite and adolescent Aphrodite (the former had neglect, the latter had abuse) have damaged neural pathways.
I hate the word damaged. I just hate it. Those two identities were adaptive states. Some aspects of those states were maladaptive (from a life span perspective). You want to separate the wheat from the chaff.
> However, the coping adult and an authentic part of me managed to survive and probably had some neuronal growth. So, he wants to strenghthen those parts in functioning in the world while trying to repair the damage of the younger parts.
How about a different metaphor? If each of these identities has its own neural pathways, why not think of it as going mining within the brain's experiences? There's gold in them hills, errr, lobes. And some cesspools, no doubt. You want to dig for gold, and block off (backfill?) the paths to the cesspools.
The problem as I see it isn't that there is no gold in those older versions of Aphrodite, but that there is no path *yet* to those riches. Those identities were formed on purpose. They helped you to manage the unmanageable. You want to find a way to bridge the separation, but be a little selective about those links you retain. You want bridges to gold, not to cesspools.
> I'm sure I have screwed up the science terms, maybe Pfinstegg could help? The bottom line is that I walked away with hope. I thought I was not "wired" correctly and that could never be overcome. My T pointed out things I am capable of doing and feeling (like being a good mother when mine was not) that show all is not lost.
Don't ever lose sight of the fact that you are not perpetuating the intergenerational transfer of abuse. The buck stopped. I'm proud of you.
> I love the rare glimmer of hope:)Let hope be not so rare. ;-)
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:412514
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041104/msgs/412555.html