Upstream,

I like your rationale on this.
I have a module 'Physiological Psychology' on my Psych degree; we have covered illnesses and external trauma that cause brain damage. We have looked at research that highlights how the brain can develop compensatory measures in order to fulfil certain cognitive tasks that may have been lost or damaged. This type of recovery goes across the board in terms of how the person has been affected i.e., psychologically and/or neurlogogically. The brain has the capacity to heal and create new pathways in order for a person in the future to continue living as they once (or tat least very similar), did.

However, it is all about individual differences again. A lot of these types of studies have been researched on academicallly, socially and culturally advantaged people. It seems to suggest that the higher cognitively functioning individuals are more capable of creating these new connections due to the level of their previous life skills before the damage.

I do believe with the right amount of knowledge, support, and determination that PTSD symptoms can also be affected in this way. I too feel like I am peicing my mind back together. I feel like I am unearthing the how's and why's of my dysfunctional thinking at times and inappropriate life skills. I am re-educating myself and it is my brain that is making those all important intellectual and emotional connections.

Life and how we react to it is on a continuim, either end of the contiuim suggests negative behaviours and attitudes that are not conducive to a healthy and peaceful functioning life. The middle of the continuim is where I am aiming for. I realise I CANNOT change the past , but I can change my perception of it and how it has influenced my life. I am just going back to where all the negative and dysfunctional ways of living were created and giving myslef new schemas, based on the life expectations I have in the 'here and now'.

Nice positive post, upstream! I Like it :0)

Spirit x