tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125132926699584358.post9047826027748411440..comments2024-03-28T02:01:21.139-05:00Comments on Family Dysfunction and Mental Health Blog: Differences in the Size and Activity levels of Brain Parts: Long-Term PotentiationDavid M. Allen M.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06280912088483192599noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125132926699584358.post-69024377309100986092018-10-19T17:12:08.807-05:002018-10-19T17:12:08.807-05:00The brain learns by repetition. The problem with ...The brain learns by repetition. The problem with repetition is that it can then become an addiction, especially in certain groups. For example, according to a paper called, "Desperately driven and no brakes", having trauma at two different times (ages 3-5 yrs and adolescence) creates a compulsion to use drugs and stronger cues and this is based on three factors: <br />1) a sensitized stress response system <br />2) sensitive periods of vulnerability<br />3) maturational processes during adolescence<br /><br />So a compulsion to use drugs would explain the high incidence of drug use in Borderlines. But I think it's stupid to think that if the reward system has been affected that would create only one single compulsion/addiction. Notice how many of the symptoms of Borderline personality are in fact addictions (spending, gambling, speeding, cutting, cluttering, etc).<br /><br />So I do believe I just answered your question of why Borderlines continue repetitive bad behaviors.<br /><br />Re: Brain structure and response. There is one factor nobody seems to be considering and that is that brain structure and response to emotional stimuli is related to gut microbial profiles. (As a matter of fact, Borderlines have low levels of several types of gut bacteria, one of them being L. Reuteri, which produces and modulates Oxytocin and as you know, Borderlines have low oxytocin levels). <br /><br />If stress-induced dysbiosis and bacterial profiles cause changes in brain structure and response, then that's going to throw many of the brain studies out the door.<br /><br />My sources:<br />Desperately driven and no brakes<br />https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2688959/<br /><br />Brain Structure and Response to Emotional Stimuli as Related to Gut Microbial Profiles in Healthy Women<br />https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2017/10000/Brain_Structure_and_Response_to_Emotional_Stimuli.10.aspxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com