It is often believed that childhood stardom is a tough life to live and grow up in.  Everyone knows who you are and how they treat you differently can affect many attributes to anyone’s personality and behavior.  The fact that Lindsay Lohan’s life has been under a microscope and scrutinized for probably as long as she can remember, is likely to cause her to suffer from anxiety, depression, relationship conflict as well as multiply what she might perceive to be trauma.  So, with this argument, you could make a good case for nurture to be the more defining piece in the development of her personality.

On the flip side, one could also argue how nature might be the more3 powerful defining piece in her personality development.  Maybe it isn’t the fact that childhood stars seem to be influenced by their ‘star-power’; Perhaps it is their genetics (or “in their blood” if you will) that these persons are commonly attracted to the spotlight at a young age and by default their nature eventually comes through during their later years in life?

So you see, the debate continues . . .

Regardless of what got Lindsay Lohan in the state she is in now, there is one thing that should remain non-debatable.  Despite of whom you are today, whether you have been influenced by the environment around you (i.e. parents, family, friends, where you’re from) or by the genetic nature (of which you had no choice), one truth remains – you can change. 

(Blog Submitted by Elliot Munro, Life Coach at Psychological Health And Wellness)

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Two significant parts of the brain that can be dysregulated as a result of the adverse experiences with which many children seem to have more than a passing familiarity are the Diencephalon and the Limbic system of the brain. These two systems possess a multitude of functions and possibilities, and a complexity that is beyond the scope of this article. However it may be helpful for the reader to understand that these systems of the brain carry on vital roles in attachment and in eating and food usage.

The Diencephalon is that part of the brain tasked with coordinating and regulating all functional activity except the sense of smell. This system serves as the switchboard of the brain where integration of the Autonomic Nervous System is maintained. This means that there is a steady influence by this part of the brain on effectual or emotional expression. Many of what would be considered habituated behavioral patterns, as well as food cravings and eating behavior are highly influenced if not primarily controlled by this part of the brain.

When the Diencephalon is dysregulated it can lead to altered states of consciousness, perceptual shifts, hormonal imbalances, and neurogenic storms which are sometimes labeled as mystery pain.

Some refer to the Diencephalon as an energy Czar which is responsible for assuring that the human being that is being stressed possesses adequate energy to flee, or fight as the case may be. How this energy management functions can be somewhat problematic. First it jumps the cravings for high calorie and fatty foods. This is followed by applying the brake to slow the speed of one’s metabolism, and then finishes off the process with a hormonal reduction in indigenous opiods “endorphins” The outcome is weight gain and mild to moderate feelings of depression. This may well account for the growing numbers of obese children in the westernized cultures where high levels of stress and adverse experiences are manifest in the lives of children all most daily.

Were you or someone you know a victim of a childhood trauma? Are there elements of this story that can relate to, either directly or as a direct result of your relationship with a loved one?

If afflicted by the symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma we encourage you to call our office at (480) 478-4221 or schedule a complementary thirty minute consultation with one of our therapists at Psychological Health and Wellness, meet with one of our psychotherapists and learn how our trauma counselors can help you live a life free from the suffering effects of anxiety, depression, trauma and conflict. We are located in Mesa, AZ, near the Gilbert border, in the Phoenix area of Maricopa County in Arizona.

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There exists a tremendous volume of research and evidence that repeatedly paints a story of unfortunate outcomes on the canvas of child abuse and neglect. However the brush strokes on this canvas are often limited to the character and images of physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Indeed that is no light matter with the federal government estimating that nearly a million children a year are physically or sexually abused and neglected.

The challenge comes when one adds more color, broadens the palette to encompass a broader array of hues and tents by using a different definition of abuse. If childhood trauma can be expanded to include anything that interrupts or interferers with normal psychological, social, emotional or physical development then the size and chaotic color scheme of the canvas would take on amazing new definition and complexity.

Traumatic levels of stress adversely impact the developing brain of a child in ways that are unfortunate and yet subtly difficult to define because of the breadth of the systemic functions that can be dysregulated in the brain that is tasked with adapting to the demands of a traumagenic or adverse environment. The consequences of exposing children to adverse or traumatic environments can be to create an opportunity for the developing brain to be damaged, and severely impacted in negative ways.

The damage will be unique, based on the individual resilience and genetic makeup of the child as well as the frequency, duration and intensity of the adverse experiences. Regardless of these factors it is very possible to damage a child’s growing brain which can put into place psychological, physiological challenges such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties, poor quality attachments and health risks like obesity.

Were you or someone you know a victim of a childhood trauma? Are there elements of this story that can relate to, either directly or as a direct result of your relationship with a loved one?

If afflicted by the symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma we encourage you to call our office at (480) 478-4221 or schedule a complementary thirty minute consultation with one of our therapists at Psychological Health and Wellness, meet with one of our psychotherapists and learn how our trauma counselors can help you live a life free from the suffering effects of anxiety, depression, trauma and conflict. We are located in Mesa, AZ, near the Gilbert border, in the Phoenix area of Maricopa County in Arizona.

Depression is a tremendous problem in society when one looks at the complexity of strains, stressors and things that can cause each person to be in distress. One of the points that the author makes that is tremendous is that there is no single cause, single treatment or single defining characteristic of depression.

Depression is a unique expression for each person, so there is no “right” answer when it comes to THE CAUSE or THE SOLUTION. What this means that each person will experience depression uniquely and deal with it in an individual way. The text helps the person suffering to learn to recover from the psychological, social and emotional effects of depression and live a life more completely their own, free of this hindrance.

I highly recommend this book in order to better understand the complexities of depression and the treatments for depression.

With humor and a light-hearted approach that is insightful and enlightening, this is a text that talks about the basics of how we can create positive change in our own lives or the lives of those that we are endeavoring to help and support. The author, Bill O’Hanlon, shows real understanding of the human condition as he describes the common eleven patterns that hinder or block change, as well as strategies for stepping past those patterns to gain freedom and a more positive and healthy life.

I highly recommend this book to those seeking successful therapy.

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The things Dr. Rhoton asked me to do at the time seemed very strange, they were weird compared to my prior counseling experience, but they seemed to also fit me.  Bob asked me to give up sleep for a night or two, and to go to bed and set a timer for every 15 minutes to make sure I didn’t accidentally fall asleep. Then of course I did fall asleep and slept for 4 hours, which was the longest stretch of sleep I had at one time for about two years.  I remember that he joked with me about being so rebellious that I was going to sleep no matter what he and I agreed to and he asked me to promise not to sleep more than 5 hours.  I remember how shocked I was at the end of a month when I was sleeping 6 or 61/2 hours a night and feeling rested.

some of the other things that was happening was I was feeling more patient with my nephew, more relaxed at work and more confident in managing myself.  I was actually having fun coming to therapy, which I thought was odd, I had never had fun in therapy before, therapy always seemed like a serious business, kind of like going to church. That just wasn’t what was happening, I looked forward to getting there, and seeing what was going to happen.

I worked with Dr. Rhoton for a period of 5 months and haven’t felt the need to return to therapy since.  I have gone back to college, work regular hours and have adopted my nephew, who has become one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I am so thankful to have him with me.  I am also dating and it looks like I will be getting married next summer.  I still have days that are bad from time to time, but on the whole I am so much better than I was.  Thank you, Dr. Rhoton for your patience, your concern and the time you spent with me.  I think I understand more about Christian charity from knowing you than I have from years of church. I always tell people to see you when they share with me they are having problems.

If you are suffering from sleep deprivation, a sleeping disorder and afflicted by the symptoms of depression, anxiety, or trauma we encourage you to call our office at (480) 478-4221 or schedule a complementary thirty minute consultation with one of our therapists at Psychological Health and Wellness, meet with one of our psychotherapists and learn how our trauma counselors can help you live a life free from the suffering effects of anxiety, depression, trauma and conflict. We are located in Mesa, AZ, near the Gilbert border, in the Phoenix area of Maricopa County in Arizona.