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Tyler Hagan

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Is anyone pursuing this type of neuroscience in the field of psychiatry and how much "learned paralysis" could be apart of mental disorders?

It seems to me that Ramachandran's theory on 'learned paralysis' could have a very large impact on patients of psychosis who 'learn' similar types of destructive self-images by engraining the structures that inhibit them. Yes, there are chemical imbalances that make the brain work in ways that are 'unbalanced', but I think there are many people suffering from mental disorders that are effectively 'paralyzed' by their destructive self-image, which is why I was surprised when Ramachandran dismiss schizophrenic neurology near the end of the talk, because I think the research he is doing could be very beneficial to the psychiatric field. And that is why I was wondering whether anyone in these fields is working in that direction?

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Topics: brain mental illness neuroscience
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    May 19 2011: I have been following Martin Seligman's work on Learned Helplessness for years. You may know him as the father of positive psychology. I can send you some references if you need them.

  • Neale Lehman

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    May 19 2011: Ramachandran spoke of "automatizating" behaviours. Neurotic or even psychotic behaviours/thoughts could
    be the unfortunate result of such repititions until they ecome unconscious?
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      May 19 2011: Learned helpless has to do with trying and failing. It is linked with the idea of extinction of behaviours. It is what many people feel about programming the old VCR or some others feel about education. Its the 'it just must not be for me' feeling but it usually pervades more serious issues of self efficacy and self worth. To your point, it is heavily implicated in depression in particular.

      Automization of behaviours normally refers to positive learning like driving a car. Have you ever driven home from work on the same route for the millionth time and had other things on your mind and then suddenly realized that you were home but do not have any memory of the actual drive. That is the best example for automization of behaviours.
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    Helen Hupe 30+

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    Apr 4 2011: Right on ...Lee
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    Lee Wilkinson 20+

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    Mar 31 2011: I think it's called learned helplessness. Basically when we have enough self talk and the proof that we cannot do something it becomes a reality. The way to get beyond this is to change the self talk and the actions until we then have a different belief to replace the old limiting one.
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