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Your Ever Working Brain
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David Carbonell, Ph.D.
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Mar 31, 2008 20:18 PST
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THE ANXIETY COACH®
Helping People Thrive in an Anxious World
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Volume 9, Issue 3
IN THIS ISSUE
Dr. Carbonell writes about finding peace and calm by
accepting, rather than controlling, your busy mind.
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INDEX
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1. Dave's Note
2. Your Ever Working Brain
3. About The Anxiety Coach®
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Dave's Note
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March 31, 2008
Dear Reader,
I'm pleased to note that my Panic Attacks Workbook has gone
into its fourth printing. If you're looking for a copy,
click here: http://www.anxietycoach.com/book.htm
If you're a professional therapist seeking continuing
education in the treatment of anxiety disorders, I will be
offering my day-long workshop, "Six Secrets to the Treatment
of Chronic Anxiety Disorders" at the following locations
later this year. For more information and registration,
visit: http://www.pesi.com.
July 21: Palm Springs, California
July 22: Rancho Cordova, California
July 23: San Diego, California
September 22: Bangor, Maine
September 23: Portland, Maine
September 24: Manchester, New Hampshire
See you next month!
Dave Carbonell
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Your Ever Working Brain
by David Carbonell, Ph.D.
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Your stomach only works when it has work to do. It works
when it has food to digest, or needs to signal you that
it's lunchtime.
Not so with your brain. Your brain works all the time,
generating thoughts and emotions, even when there is no
present need to be thinking anything. Your brain is always
working, even when you sleep, even when you have a leisurely
hour planned to lay out in the sun and watch clouds.
You don't have an "off" switch for your brain.
If you had a television without an "off" switch, you'd
replace it. Imagine what it would be like in your home if
the TV was always on. You'd always hear it in the
background, even when you didn't feel like watching. Some
people would periodically yell at the set, telling it to
shut up, even though that would just create more distress.
Some people would concentrate on not hearing the TV, and
that would probably make them notice it more.
It's like that with your brain. You can't turn it off, and
you can't make it only think the thoughts you want it to. It
can help you solve all kinds of problems. But it also has an
independent streak that doesn't allow you to control all its
work.
There are some good reasons the brain has to be this way. If
we had to consciously control everything the brain does, we'd
never get out of the house each morning. It's too much work!
But the tradeoff is that we have to work with a brain that
has no "off" button. Some people have a hard time accepting
that. They keep trying to control their brain. Often they
don't like the way their brain gets talkative when it's time
to sleep. They often dislike specific thoughts they
experience - maybe creepy ones, like idle thoughts of bad
things happening, or doing bad things.
These are often people whose lives become filled with worry.
They struggle to turn those thoughts off. But, without an
"off" switch, they generally end up arguing with their
thoughts. And that just keeps the unwanted dialog coming.
If you were the Creator, maybe you've have designed things
differently. But here you are, with a brain that has no
"off" switch.
Do you struggle to control your brain? If you're like most
people who struggle against anxiety, it will be easier to
practice a stance of accepting, even humoring, your brain as
it continues its 24 hour broadcast.
Many people have found various forms of meditation a useful
way to work with this aspect of the brain. You don't need
a long flowing robe and sandals to meditate. You don't
need to become a vegetarian. You don't even need the ability
to let your mind go blank! You just need the desire to
find a more peaceful way to co-exist with your brain, and a
willingness to sit back and observe it as it works.
If you'd like to look further into meditation, here are a
few suggestions.
1.There are several good books by Jon Kabat-Zinn, including
Full Catastrophe Living.
2.Visit this website: www.LearningMeditation.com
3.For a very simple self hypnotic exercise, send a blank email
to dire-@anxietycoach.com. Put "self hypnosis" in the
subject line and I will send it to you by return e-mail.
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THE ANXIETY COACH®
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The Anxiety Coach® is a publication of the Anxiety
Treatment Center, Ltd. The Center is a small group of
clinical psychologists who specialize in the treatment of
anxiety problems. The Center has offices in Chicago and
several nearby suburbs.
Dr. Carbonell, a licensed psychologist, is the founder and
director of the Anxiety Treatment Center.
The information contained in this publication is not a
substitute for consultation with healthcare professionals.
Each individual's health concerns should be evaluated by a
qualified professional.
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SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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If you received this copy from a friend or colleague and
want your own (free) subscription, look for the blue
subscription banner at http://www.anxietycoach.com.
If you would like to see past issues of our newsletter,you
can find them in the archive. Visit the main site at
http://www.anxietycoach.com, click on the blue "Subscribe to
our free newsletter" banner, and click on the archive link.
To unsubscribe, follow the link at the very end of this issue.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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David A. Carbonell, Ph.D.
Anxiety Treatment Center, Ltd.
E-mail: dcarb-@anxietycoach.com
Web: http://www.anxietycoach.com
5105 Tollview Drive, Suite 103
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
847.481.5251
© 2008, Anxiety Treatment Center, Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Anxiety Coach® is a registered mark of Anxiety Treatment
Center, Ltd.
Distribution Rights: The above material is copyrighted,
but you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you
wish as long as not a single word is changed, added or
deleted, including the contact information. However, you
may not copy it to a web site without prior permission.
Reprint permission will be freely granted, upon request,
to periodicals and non-profit educational and service
organizations.
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