I am aware of some testing/treatments like QEEG, fMRI and SPECT scans to look for functional anomalies in the brain. At some point I read about childhood/adolescent abusive trauma changing the way that the brain processes life. It had something to do with suppressing dopamine and/or seratonin and/or whatever in order to emotionally survive the event. However, when the trauma is revisited multiple times over years the suppression becomes more permanent. I'm looking for whoever or whatever the doctor or treatment is. In QEEG the deficits are identified and a "video game" is played to ramp up the area. I expect that more recent advances would have a more effective recovery profile. Not that QEEG is ineffective... Amen Clinics in California have SPECT scans correlated with personality profiles and have probably identified the problem but I don't know how to ask the question or find the information. To be sure, I am a solid proponent of counseling and/or medication when needed. When I read about research being done on people who had remote trauma that occured in childhood or adolescence I was hopeful for a more comprehensive approach.

@Bill Lipe posted:

Due to brain plasticity the brain is always adapting. Sometimes negatively, other times positively and most of the time just changed. In situations of extended abuse (years) the brain will adapt to survive the abusive trauma. In many cases the brain stays in a survival mode. Is there a testing/treatment to change the brsin from defensive survivalism back to open growth? Surviving is good but thriving is better. I am certain that these changes have been observed and I hope that treatments have been devised. Any ideas?

Hello Bill, I'm a firm believer in thriving and by way of example is my life and what I am doing...I also share numerous examples of thriving in the monthly Surviving Spirit Newsletter - all issues are archived at the website. http://newsletters.survivingspirit.com/index.php

Also mindful that one person's thriving is not for someone else, we are all different and our traumas/abuse experiences vary.

With the newsletter and these You Tube clips and all of the resources shared within them, there are many examples of healing modalities and thriving.

Thanks for reaching out and commenting!!!

Take care, Michael

1] Just Get Over It - Healing Childhood Trauma in Adulthood  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKKraLrAwKo&t=4s

2] Just Get Over It - Part 2 - Healing Childhood Trauma in Adulthood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EgIkkKgJoE&t=8s

3] How You Can Help - Healing Childhood Trauma in Adulthood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAvBwDfO68A&t=8s

Due to brain plasticity the brain is always adapting. Sometimes negatively, other times positively and most of the time just changed. In situations of extended abuse (years) the brain will adapt to survive the abusive trauma. In many cases the brain stays in a survival mode. Is there a testing/treatment to change the brsin from defensive survivalism back to open growth? Surviving is good but thriving is better. I am certain that these changes have been observed and I hope that treatments have been devised. Any ideas?