1. JEFFREY A. CARMEN, PH.D. PRIVATE PRACTICE MANLIUS, NY
FRONTAL LOBE PATHOLOGY, PAROXYSMAL DISORDERS, and the EVILS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK SU, 09/08/2011
JEFFREY A. CARMEN, PH.D.
PRIVATE PRACTICE
MANLIUS, NY

2. FRONTAL LOBE PATHOLOGY – recent evolutionary development – more software bugs
PAROXYSMAL DISORDERS – (things that come on suddenly, have a strong presentation, and then leave) including migraine headaches, seizures, sudden onset violent behavior, other
POSITIVE FEEDBACK – bad stuff – generally bad psychology – very bad for electronic and biological circuits – negative feedback is better

3. NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY
The tv advertisement with the howling microphone is an example of positive feedback.

4. HUMAN FRONTAL LOBES
THIS IS THE PART OF THE BRAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE REST OF THE BRAIN, INCLUDING EMOTIONS, SOCIAL RELATIONSIPS, AND GENERAL INHIBITION

5. HUMAN FRONTAL LOBES This is the most recent evolutionary development.
It is easily injured.
It has the most software bugs.
It is supposed to shut down easily during emergencies.

6. FRONTAL LOBE FUNCTION LEFT FRONTAL, LEFT TEMPORAL
FUNCTIONS AND PROBLEMS
RIGHT FRONTAL, RIGHT TEMPORAL

7. 50,000 YEARS!!!
THE HUMAN BRAIN WAS DESIGNED FOR AN ENVIRONMENT THAT EXISTED 50,000 YEARS AGO
ADAPTATION TO MODERN LIFE IS ACCIDENTAL

8. FOUR PRIMARY DRIVES (by KARL PRIBRAM)
FEEDING

9. FOUR PRIMARY DRIVES
FIGHTING

10. FOUR PRIMARY DRIVES
FLEEING

11. FOUR PRIMARY DRIVES
MAKING BABIES

12. FOUR PRIMARY DRIVES THESE ARE SURVIVAL MECHANISMS
THEY ARE GENERALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH EACH OTHER
THEY ARE GENERALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH LESSER DRIVES AND EMOTIONS

13. PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
A mismatch between a primary drive or strong habitual behavior and the internal or external environment.

14. ANXIETY
Anxiety is one of those emotions that tends to be incompatible with other emotions. It also tends to impair activity. It shuts down the prefrontal cortex.
Sexual arousal can shut down anxiety (and anxiety can shut down sexual arousal).
Assertive/aggressive behavior can shut down anxiety.
Most purposeful actions can shut down anxiety.
Activating the prefrontal cortex can shut down anxiety.

15. AGGRESSION Incompatible with anxiety
Rage is self reinforcing (it feels a lot better than anxiety, and there is a tension release when it is over).

16. DEPRESSION As a brain mechanism it is a little bit unique.
In terms of brain activity, depression localizes itself as low level of activity in the left prefrontal cortex in right handed left lateralized individual.

17. RECIPROCITY Planning and thinking inhibit emotions.
Emotions inhibit planning and thinking.
One goes up, the other goes down.

18. HUMAN FRONTAL LOBES Chopping off a chicken’s head.
Human frontal lobe is to the rest of the human brain as the chicken’s brain is to the rest of the chicken’s body.

19. DSM-IV This is the “bible” for classification of mental conditions.
About 50% of the conditions listed represent the following:
EXCESSIVE RATE AND MAGNITUDE RESPONSES TO RELATIVELY MINOR STIMULI
If you remember nothing else today, remember this

20. ADHD MIGRAINE ANGER ANXIETY DEPRESSION
DISORDERS OF RATE AND MAGNITUDE OF RESPONSE RELATED TO FRONTAL LOBE DYSFUNCTION
ADHD
MIGRAINE
ANGER
ANXIETY
DEPRESSION

21. PAROXYSMAL DISORDERS SUDDEN ONSET, SHORT DURATION, QUICKLY LEAVING “EVENTS”
MIGRAINE HEADACHES
SEIZURES
RAGE REACTIONS
PANIC ATTACKS

22. MIGRAINES
Can mimic any other mental disorder, especially if there is an aura.
Aura: progresses in a wave at 2mm to 6mm per minute, usually from back of the brain to front, ending in a headache (tsunami effect).
Called CSD (cortical spreading depression). Wherever this wave passes, the brain malfunctions.

23. TYPICAL AND LESS TYPICAL MIGRAINE AURA
“GHOSTS”
AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS
PANIC
PSYCHOTIC EPISODE
SMELLS
APHASIA (receptive / expressive)

24. BREAK TIME FOR A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS BEFORE NEXT SET OF SLIDES