Brain Injury

Please be patient with ADHD people as they may take longer processing some information, this is also why they deal with overwhelm.

(Image Source Autism -Synaptic Pruning Deficits. On the left you will see a neurotypical synaptic pruning and on the right an ADHD neurodivergent shows less neuron synaptic pruning.)

A Beautiful Unpruned Mind

The human brain is an intricate network of neurons, which communicate through synapses—tiny bridges that allow electrical and chemical signals to pass between cells. During early development, an overabundance of synapses is formed, creating vast neural pathways. However, as we grow, a process known as synaptic pruning takes place. This natural refinement removes unnecessary connections, streamlining brain function and enhancing efficiency (Abitz et al., 2007).

Yet, for some individuals, this pruning process doesn’t occur as extensively as in neurotypical brains. One such group is the neurodiverse or autistic individuals, whose brains retain a higher density of synapses (Tang et al., 2014). While this divergence in neural architecture contributes to characteristic autistic traits, it can also be the foundation for extraordinary cognitive abilities, often linked to savant syndrome.

Synaptic Pruning: The Brain’s Gardener

In infancy and early childhood, the brain experiences a surge in synapse formation, creating a dense web of neural connections. As a child matures, the brain refines itself by eliminating less-used pathways, enhancing efficiency and specialization. Research suggests that by adulthood, neurotypical individuals may have 41% fewer neurons than at birth (Abitz et al., 2007).

However, in autistic brains, this pruning is significantly reduced. Studies indicate that by late childhood, synaptic density decreases by only about 16%, compared to roughly 50% in neurotypical individuals (Tang et al., 2014). This preservation of synapses means that autistic individuals often have heightened connectivity in certain brain regions, which can lead to both challenges and unique cognitive strengths.

The Link Between Autism and Savant Abilities

A fascinating consequence of reduced synaptic pruning is the increased likelihood of savant abilities—exceptional skills in areas such as mathematics, music, or memory. While only about 1% of the general population exhibits savant-like traits, approximately 10% of autistic individuals display such abilities, with some estimates suggesting an even higher prevalence (Treffert, 2009).

One explanation lies in the brain’s hemispheric compensation. Research suggests that damage or developmental differences in the left hemisphere, often observed in autistic individuals, may lead to right hemisphere dominance, which is associated with heightened pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and artistic or mathematical talents (Hughes, 2012). Additionally, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in neuroplasticity and synaptic growth, potentially fostering enhanced neural connections in those with savant abilities (Schenk et al., 2012).

A Different Kind of Intelligence

While autism presents challenges in areas like social communication, it also offers unique cognitive strengths. A mind that retains more connections may have increased access to vast amounts of raw data, leading to exceptional memory, pattern recognition, and problem-solving abilities (Hughes, 2012). Some researchers speculate that this neural wiring may enable individuals to process information in ways that are unavailable to the neurotypical brain.

The Beauty of an Unpruned Mind

The way our brains develop shapes not only how we think but also who we are. While synaptic pruning streamlines efficiency in most individuals, a brain that holds onto its extra connections may unlock abilities beyond the ordinary. Rather than seeing this as a deficit, it may be more fitting to view it as an alternative form of intelligence—one that fosters unique perspectives, remarkable skills, and in some cases, savant-level genius.

by

Carlita Shaw

#adhd, #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #women #WomenWithADHD #Anxiety #Midlifecrisis #BrainInjury #PTSD #burnout

References

Abitz, M., Damgaard, M., Maier, N., Sakata, M., Aida, T., Kawakami, R., … & Pakkenberg, B. (2007). Excess of neurons in the human newborn mediodorsal thalamus compared with that of the adult. Cerebral Cortex, 17(11), 2573-2580. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17218480

Hughes, J. R. (2012). A review of Savant Syndrome and its possible relationship to epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 23(4), 288-294.

Schenk, F., Eckert, P., & Hunziker, J. (2012). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its role in neuroplasticity. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 6, 12.

Tang, G., Gudsnuk, K., Kuo, S. H., Cotrina, M. L., Rosoklija, G., Sosunov, A., Sonders, M. S., Kanter, E., Castagna, C., Yamamoto, A., Arancio, O., Peterson, B. S., Champagne, F., Dwork, A. J., Goldman, J., & Yue, Z. (2014). Loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy causes autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits. Neuron, 83(5), 1131-1143. doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2014.07.040

Treffert, D. A. (2009). The savant syndrome: An extraordinary condition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1522), 1351-1357Website- Synaptic growth, synesthesia & savant abilities | Embrace Autism

Additional Notes on the Study

Tang, G., and Sonders, M. S. (2014) contributed to a study that explored the relationship between developmental dendritic pruning, elevated mTORC1 signaling, macroautophagy, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study, conducted at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), found that loss of mTOR-dependent macroautophagy leads to autistic-like synaptic pruning deficits, characterized by increased dendritic spine density and reduced developmental spine pruning in layer V pyramidal neurons in postmortem ASD temporal lobe

The study by Tang et al. (2014) was supported by the Simons Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense (TS110056), the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the JPB Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH K01MH096956, R01MH64168, DP2OD001674, R01NS049442). Additional funding came from the American Heart Association, and brain tissue samples were provided by the Harvard Brain Bank and the Maryland NICHD Brain & Tissue Bank

(You can find this article with an explainer video, in my blog lifepathfrequencies over on WordPress)

To help encourage us to remember that we are more than our chronic illness(es) or any diagnosis, and to remember that we Are building friendships right here -

In the spirit of the current, Biggest, Buzz-Worthy, Trending Topic, MOVIES awards show airing Sunday night the Oscars🙌🤩🏆🍿🎥🎬

Let’s use this post all weekend Starting Now And And Into Next Week to connect through the art, power, storytelling, …and your particular views on any film. I will keep it as wide-ranged as that for a fun, varied, connecting conversation back and forth below 👇 in the comments!

#Loneliness #Grief #DistractMe #FamilyAndFriends #Relationships #IfYouFeelHopeless #Depression #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #MajorDepressiveDisorder #DepressiveDisorders #PersistentDepressiveDisorder #MoodDisorders #MDD #Agoraphobia #MentalHealth #MightyTogether #ADHD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #ChronicIllness #IntellectualDisability #AutismSpectrumDisorder #MyCondition #RareDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #ChronicFatigue #Migraine #Selfharm #Selfcare #Mindfulness #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #SuicideAttemptSurvivors #Suicide #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PsoriaticArthritis #Trauma #Cancers #AlopeciaAreata #AuditoryProcessingDisorder #CerebralPalsy #BipolarDisorder #DownSyndrome #Addiction #Lupus #HashimotosThyroiditis #AutoimmuneThyroidDisease #BipolarDepression #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #AutonomicDysfunction #ParkinsonsDisease #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #POTS #EatingDisorders #AnorexiaNervosa #BingeEatingDisorder #Dyspraxia #BrainInjury #MotorDisorders

There is More talk about Self-Care than the Most Critical Key to Happiness and Great Relationships of all types——-“SELF-LOVE”.

With this in-depth look at what Self-Love looks like-for your own personal growth, I would like you to take an honest look inwards and determine if you Practice Self-Love.
If you’re not, or if you’re not doing all of the bullet points given below, don’t worry— “Each morning, we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.”

As always, let’s have a great conversation about this topic below 👇 in the comments where you can use this space for your own place in your mental wellness journey. Not your mental illness journey— I am here as a friend to guide you through to the other side as much as possible—yes, that is where I stand, and the magic only happens if you let me—so how about more group members join in for your sake.

The Mighty friends that have opened themselves up to this opportunity are telling me and showing me that they are really starting to get it, and they are taking bigger, new, determined steps in their lives.

"Self-Love" refers to a deeper internal state of accepting and valuing yourself unconditionally, while "self-care" focuses on taking practical actions to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing, like getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and engaging in activities you enjoy; essentially, self-love is the mindset that drives you to practice self-care. Self-Love is the mindset too that heals the pain and keeps you in the light, Determined to keep pushing away any darkness and to stop doubting yourself.

Key points to remember:
* Self-love:
* A feeling of intrinsic worth and acceptance, regardless of circumstances
* Becoming your own best friend - treating yourself with the same respect and understanding you would give a close friend.
* Be the love you never received.
* Includes embracing your flaws
* Foundation for setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing your needs
* learn to say no when needed and clearly explain why
* Don’t seek Anyone’s validation
* Positive self-talk: Use encouraging language to speak to yourself, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments.
* Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, recognizing negative self-talk and actively replacing it with positive affirmations/relabel upsetting thoughts
* Say something nice to yourself in the mirror — looking into your eyes & smile at yourself & say “I love you”and your name. (Yes, I actually stop myself to do this & it’s Wonderful)
* cultivate self-compassion
* Encourage Yourself
* Talk to someone you trust who *Has The Capacity To Listen*-and, Another Big Key Here is that ***Being vulnerable - completely honest and thorough- about what you’re going through with someone else is a major form of self-love because you’re taking the time to dig deep, regardless of how uncomfortable it is, And, on top of that, you’re showing yourself that you want to work out whatever’s going on with you***
* avoid comparing yourself to others
* practice gratitude
* Seek out opportunities for growth
* Creating a safe zone all your own is an act of self-love because it gives you a designated area where you can focus on your needs and emotions instead of other people’s. The key here is creating a space that feels good and peaceful when life is neither of those things.
#MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Selflove #Selfcare #Selfharm #SuicideAttemptSurvivors #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #Suicide #Trauma #MajorDepressiveDisorder #PersistentDepressiveDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #Agoraphobia #BingeEatingDisorder #EatingDisorders #EatingDisorder #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #LymeDisease #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #PTSDSupportAndRecovery #PTSD #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #AutonomicDysfunction #AuditoryProcessingDisorder #Deafness #ADHDInGirls #ADHD #AspergersSyndrome #AutismSpectrumDisorder #Addiction #CerebralPalsy #IntellectualDisability #Disability #Blindness #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorderBPD #Fibromyalgia #ChronicPain #Migraine #IfYouFeelHopeless #BrainInjury #MotorDisorders #MultipleSclerosis #RheumatoidArthritis #Arthritis #Grief #Loneliness #AnorexiaNervosa #Relationships #SocialAnxiety #FamilyAndFriends #Caregiving #CrohnsDisease #CysticFibrosis #AlopeciaAreata #Cancers #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ParkinsonsDisease #PosturalOrthostaticTachycardiaSyndrome #POTS #Stroke #Diabetes #SelfharmRecovery #RareDisease #DownSyndrome #AddisonsDisease #IrritableBowelSyndromeIBS #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveandRelatedDisorders #ObsessiveCompulsivePersonalityDisorder #DissociativeIdentityDisorder

After struggling with cPTSD, chronic pain, depression and anxiety for decades I developed a serious apathy problem, which is why I created this group.

I wanted to let you know that I have just reinvented my whole life to force myself to completely overhaul all of my dysfunctional patterns. The impetus for the change was being run off the road by an idiot aggressive driver who had no regard for my life. My car was totaled after I rolled it, but I walked away with no broken bones or signs of brain injury. There are just two big hematomas on my head that are still being absorbed exactly one month later.

This gave me much to think about. I lost my job because it required having a car and I had no replacement opportunity. So I moved to a spectacularly beautiful mountainous area four hours away from anyone I know. I did it to accept an invitation from a new friend who is trying to build something sustainable on her property but needs help.

A change of this magnitude is honestly what I needed, but is probably more than most people can manage. It has invigorated me though, so reach for some change for yourself. You need to be invigorated or you would not have joined this group.

Look at the graphic I used for this post and think about “radical” changes you can implement in your own life. Pick something—ANYTHING that inspires you—and work your way through those attitude steps. Do something different today. Make whatever sized accomplishment is appropriate for your life. Go for it.

Sign up for a class,
Go outside for a short walk,
Start a journal,
Plan a trip,
Call someone who can help you,
Start a project,
Make some art,
Whatever you need to do to invigorate yourself a bit. You need it! You deserve it!

#MentalHealth #Anxiety #ChronicFatigue #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #ChronicIllness #Depression #Fibromyalgia #PTSD #PTSDSupportAndRecovery #ChronicPain #apathy #MajorDepressiveDisorder #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder

This is a collection of photographs and stories I wrote in the first few years after my injury along with my perspective on living with trauma. #Inspiration #Hope

June 1993 I suffered a traumatic brain injury complete with a helicopter ride to the hospital unconscious and unable to enjoy the ride out of the mountain to Denver.
June 2024 I suffered a stroke and get a surgical procedure in three week to clean out my right carotid artery at which time the Dr. will decide of the left side carotid needs cleaned out as well at a later date. His current guess as of this morning it will not need to be done, lucky me. So now I am seeing how this app works. At least I will be back to Sky Ridge Hospital which has tasty #BreakfastBurritos but not to the point of being a fair trade off. I like to #Workout an hour a day to avoid a big belly and am at least winning that battle.

What did I do to deserve this second dose of OT, PT, AND Speech therapies? They even said they took my drivers license again, oh joy… #OccupationalTherapy #PhysicalTherapy #SpeechTherapy #BrainInjury #Stroke #sucks I am not bitter, I just want to know why me again
Peace
Brownie points to the person who knows where the app screenshot came from

What can I say? It took me 4 days to be brave enough to able to share
recent life experience here in Lone Tree, Colorado. My life took a serious turn for the worse and I’m not having any fun. Wishing I could be outside and play-but no. Instead I have heavy track marks on my arms from a few billion ivs.
I went head to head with a #Stroke but I’m too stubborn to let it win when it teamed up with my #TBI to double my fun. The experience damn near killed me. Good thing I have a great night nurse from Tibet that has a my back totally #grateful for her awesome care and a breakfast burrito with green chili to get and keep me fired up.
Getting tired waiting for my sleep medication to be delivered tonight after 3 to 6hours of butt kicking therapy a day. This morning I had to stand on a ball that looks like the planet Saturn to balance on while playing catch with a beach ball without crashing. Kinda impressed my 63 year old brain but don’t tell my PT, ST. and Ot team or they will up the ante. I need video of this stupid human trick to show off my lost talent. Have a great day.