Mean Aunt Martha Acrylic/ 30” by 30” / gold frame/ $ 399
She was a beautiful, talented alcoholic who was mean to her children.
What type of brain did she have?
Over and Under-stimulated Brains
Sean Suib director of New Avenues for Youth recently told me that there are two types of brains. The thought intrigued me so I did a little research. What I discovered is that one brain type is over-stimulated while at rest. I have one of those. My brain does not like going on roller coaster rides or being exposed to extreme circumstances. We who are over-stimulated are hypersensitive since our brains are continuously at an “all systems go” level. Our brains often cause us to have social anxiety and exhibit fear based responses.
When it comes to taking physical risks I am cautious even though I like to get up on the roof and sweep off the leaves. Heights don’t seem to bother me as much as my neighbors who worry about me falling. I am smart enough to attach a rope if I have to go to a particularly dangerous spot where the ground is 40 feet below.
It takes courage to grow up and strike out on your own. Those of us with over-stimulated brains have a difficult time becoming independent unless we learn to calm our minds. In my twenties my career suffered because of anxiety and fear. I turned down a wonderful position offered by the Boston Children’s Museum when I first graduated from college. I had to learn how to overcome my disability and eventually did so through the practice of Transcendental Meditation. When I first started Impression 5, a science museum in Lansing Michigan, I sat in my car meditating for 20 minutes before going to appointments. Over time, I learned to relax and eventually to enjoy the chaos of a stimulating work environment. I started to thrive under the pressure of daily decision making that was required in my challenging job a president of OMSI. Though I now consider myself a risk-taker when it comes to my personal and business life, I am rarely impulsive. My moves are well analyzed and calculated.
The second brain type is under-stimulated. Those with this type of brain have constant feelings of boredom. They become the thrill seekers who love roller coaster rides and high speed car chases. These individuals are in danger of depression and acquiring compulsive behaviors like drinking and gambling. They seek extreme activities to overcome boredom and have a propensity for poor impulse control. Under-stimulated brains tend to feel and move through life without thinking of the future. Under-stimulation is often paired with a psychological condition known as motivational syndrome, defined as a low desire to participate in social situations. They are often apathetic to what goes on in the world outside of themselves.
Streetwise, as do many homeless teens, has an under-stimulated brain. When we first met him he constantly complained of boredom. With a lack of motivation nothing interested him saying nothing interested him. He could sit staring into space for hours, not responding to our suggestions to go out and enjoy the world. . “Go visit a friend.” I would say or “ If you are bored, why not join a bowling team or get involved with a hobby.” The answer was always, “I’m not interested.” However, when it came to physical risks his response was different. Streetwise was ready to jump into a risk taking position as long as someone else initiated the interaction. I would hear of his dreams of bungee jumping, skydiving, speed racing, and skateboarding as they swirled around his head while he lay on the sofa.
One day Ray and I noticed how much Streetwise enjoyed getting up on the roof to look over the edge without being tied on by a rope. One section of our roof is over 50 feet off the ground but its height did not phase him. The higher the roofline he could stand on the happier he was. His attraction to danger is what led us to suggest that he become an industrial painter. This career puts him on 75 foot water towers where he can hang over the side to sand blast and paint. At times he has to walk along narrow platforms and climb cables on bridges that span huge distances over turbulent water. Streetwise embraced his training and apprenticeship program with gusto. He has excellent job possibilities ahead of him as long as he stays safe. We have observed a big change in the way he problem solves so I am optimistic. His brain has adapted making him a more outgoing personality who is comfortable in social situations once he has been pushed into attending.
I do believe that Aunt Martha was in many ways similar to Streetwise. Her under stimulated brain, however, took her towards self medication through alcohol. She reacted instinctually when she did not like something and slashed out at her children with biting verbal remarks. Her anger was a way of stimulating adrenaline, making her feel alive.
Which of the two categories do you fall into? Is your brain over or under-stimulated? Have you ever had to overcome adversity due to the way your mind works? Have you tried to repattern the way you think?
Do share your thoughts below.
Art is always for sale. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com
For sale on Amazon: The True Story of Streetwise, overcoming homelessness and beating the odds. Go to AMAZON.
References:
http://hubpages.com/health/processing-disorders-under-stimulated-brain – About the overstimulated brain.
http://www.ehow.com/way_5418991_mean-feel-understimulated.html – Understimulated brain.
