Neuroplasicity Helps Patients of Stroke and Depressions Recover
Neuroplasticity does recognize that when a part or an area of the brain is damaged, the other properly functioning areas can be trained to gallantly take up the job. Over the years, research and studies have proved that the brain can undergo a substantial amount of training to do some of the job the damaged and impaired areas cannot perform. Compensating for the loss of certain areas makes this characteristic of the brain beneficial to patients who have been stricken with stroke or suffer from acute depression.
Some years ago a therapist in gerontology was amazed to see the remarkable way the brain could rewire itself. After many sessions of therapy, a stroke victim, despite his age could lift her paralyzed arm to gently hit a balloon. She was chronically paralyzed, but the other areas of her brain managed to take off from the non-functional areas after they ceased them operating.
In the event of newer challenges and obstacles, the brain is equipped to change and adapt the neural structure if enough stimulation is provided. It helps stroke patients and those stricken with long bouts of depression to even pick up new skills. Therapy works wonders for their impaired condition.
Both the authors, the Time’s science editor and Jeffrey Schwatrz, professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, have mentioned in their book about the power of neuroplasticity and that our brain activity is not set in stone. Their book was based on a study of patients stricken with obsessive compulsive disorders and how their brains were amenable to changes and the shifting of gears for newer activities that are acceptable socially.
The brain’s neural circuit can undergo changes in victims of stroke and depression and make them perform activities that were near impossible during the early stages of obsessive compulsive disorders. Studies have proved that given a new task to perform, neural circuitry doesn’t fail in its job after sessions of behavioral therapy that effect the required chemical changes.
Studies by scientists have proved that medication does not succeed in ultimately reviving or getting the brain to act in cases of stoke and depression. Drugs and anti-depressants usually prescribed by psychiatrists are not a one-size-fit-all type. It is hotly debated whether they fit at all as most doctors change the medicine as soon as it stops providing relief. Either they change or combine the drugs as is the norm of the American Psychiatric Association. Recent findings have also shown that drugs don’t work on 30% of the population. If it worked, then the number of suicide deaths of teenagers on medication wouldn’t be taking place.
Compared to drugs and medication, cognitive therapy, based on behavioral patterns, is a far better option. Nowadays, therapy is fast becoming an ideal anti-depressant rather than drugs. Switching of the brain is regarded as a new method for treating people with stroke and depression. Repeating certain mental exercises over and over again can make the neurons switch their activity from the emotional to the thinking area of the brain.
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Casey Pratt teaches methods on how symptoms of anxiety attacks can be prevented.
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