The Brain in Love: 12 Lessons to Enhance Your Love Life by Daniel G. Amen Read Free Book Online Page A

ROBLEMS A SSOCIATED WITH H IGH DLS A CTIVITY
Depression  
Cyclic mood disorders  
Pain syndromes  
    D IAGNOSTIC P ROBLEMS A SSOCIATED WITH L OW DLS A CTIVITY N ONE
    W AYS TO C ALM H IGH DLS
ACTIVITY
Biofeedback, increase left PFC activity (helps calm the DLS through its connections)
Intense aerobic exercise
Relationship counseling
Therapy to correct and eliminate ANTs (automatic negative thoughts)
Balanced diet, such as described by Barry Sears in The Zone Diet
DLS supplements, such as DL phenylalanine, SAMe, L-tyrosine
DLS medications (if appropriate), antidepressants such as Wellbutrin (bupropion), Effexor (venlafaxine), Norpramin (desipramine), Tofranil (imipramine), SSRIs (if ACG also present), anticonvulsants/Lithium to help with cyclic mood changes
    Basal Ganglia (BG)—You Make Me Nervous
    The basal ganglia are a set of large structures toward the center of the brain that surround the deep limbic system. The BG are involved with integrating feelings, thoughts, and movement, which is why you jump when you get excited or freeze when you are scared. In our clinic we have noticed that the basal ganglia areinvolved with setting the body’s idle or anxiety level. When the BG work too hard, people tend to struggle with anxiety and physical stress symptoms, such as headaches, intestinal problems, and muscle tension. High BG activity is also associated with conflict-avoidant behavior. Anything that reminds them of a worry (such as confronting an employee who is not doing a good job) produces anxiety; high BG people tend to avoid conflict, because it makes them feel uncomfortable. People with high BG activity also have trouble relaxing and tend to overwork. When the BG are low in activity, people tend to have problems with motivation and attention.
    In addition, the BG are involved with feelings of pleasure and ecstasy. Cocaine works in this part of the brain. High activity in this part of the brain is often due to a deficiency in the neurotransmitter GABA; increasing it through supplements or medications is often helpful.
    BG in Relationships
    When the basal ganglia system functions properly, people tend to be calm and relaxed. They tend to predict the best and, in general, see a positive future. Their bodies tend to feel good, and they are physically free to express their sexuality. They are not plagued by multiple physical complaints. They tend to be relaxed enough to be playful, sexy, and sexual. They are able to deal with conflict in an effective way. When the basal ganglia is overactive, there is a tendency toward anxiety, panic, fear, and tension. They tend to focus on negative future events and what can go wrong in a situation. They filter information through fear and they are less likely to give others the benefit of the doubt. They tend to have headaches, backaches, and a variety of physical complaints. They have lowered sexual interest because their physical bodies tend to be wrapped in tension. They often do not have the physical or emotional energy to feel sexy or sexual and they tend to shy away from sexual activity. Most of their memories are filled with anxiety or fear. They tend to wear out people by the constant fear they project.
POSITIVE BG RELATIONAL STATEMENTS
I know things will work out.
I can speak out when I have a problem. I don’t let problems fester.
I usually feel physically relaxed. I’m usually calm in new situations.
    N EGATIVE BG R ELATIONAL S TATEMENTS
I know this isn’t going to work out.
I’m too tense.
I’m scared.
I’m too afraid to bring up problems. I tend to avoid them.
I can’t breathe. I feel really anxious in this situation.
I can’t make love—I have a headache (chest pain, backache, muscle aches, etc.).
You’re going to do something to hurt me (predict fear).
STATEMENTS FROM PARTNERS OF PEOPLE WITH BG PROBLEMS
She’s anxious.
He’s nervous.
She’s uptight.
He cares too much about what others think.
He predicts the worst possible outcomes to situations.
She