Brain Blogging, Thirty-Sixth Edition

Welcome to the thirty-sixth edition of Brain Blogging. In this round, we cover the diagnostic dilemma in ADHD, novel radiological therapies for Aspergers, unravel cross-gender studies, and discuss personal stories of escaping depression through creativity.

Remember, we review the latest blogs related to the brain and mind that go beyond the basic sciences into a more human and multidimensional perspective. If you were left out, just leave a comment with your blog entry. You can check our archive for every edition.

For future editions, please remember to submit your blog entries using the online submission form. We will do our best to review and include your entry! Enjoy your readings…

It’s All in the Mind…

Adventures in Daily Living writes ADHD:

Did you know that most children diagnosed with ADHD are boys (10% males: 4% females?). Is this a problem with boys? Or a problem with expecting boys to be not-boys? (Or merely a problem with diagnoses?)

Anand Dhillon writes Cognitive Distortions:

Overgeneralization occurs when you form an arbitrary conclusion based on limited external evidence. You believe that since something occurred once, it will occur over and over. One failed relationship means you will always be lonely. One failed business means you are not cut out to be an entrepreneur. Fear of rejection is commonly the result of overgeneralization.

Brain Stimulant writes rTMS and Aspergers:

You can read an interesting first hand account of a person with aspergers undergoing an rTMS (rapid transcranial magnetic stimulation) treatment to stimulate a specific area of the brain. This is the first time I have heard about it being used for this disorder. It looks like it may potentially improve specific symptoms for this syndrome and can have a large impact on a person’s perceptual consciousness.

Providentia writes The Shattered Man:

The Battle of Smolensk was part of a two-month offensive in 1943 designed to drive Nazi invaders from the city that they had held for two years. Although the offensive was ultimately successful, it came at a terrible cost.with much of Smolensk being devastated.by the occupation and the battle to retake the city. Thousands were killed or seriously injured including one 23-year old lieutenant named Lev Zasetky.

A. E. Brain writes BiGender and the Brain:

Cross-Gendered (CG) somatic form due to pre-natal hormonal exposure is more strongly correlated with CG sexual orientation than with CG gender identity. It is thus more strongly correlated with CG behaviour. CG sexual orientation is rather more weakly correlated with CG somatic form and CG gender identity, and so all but a few who have CG sexual orientation have perfectly normal somatic form and gender identity. CG somatic form is more strongly correlated with CG gender identity (by a factor of 30), but still the majority (90%?) of physically intersexed people have normal gender identities.

Intensive Care for the Nurturer’s Soul writes Nirvana is Only a Thought Away:

In her own words, [neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor says in her book while suffering a stroke], “When the cells in my left brain became nonfunctional because they were swimming in a pool of blood, they lost their ability to inhibit the cells in my right hemisphere. In my right brain, I shifted into the consciousness of the present moment. I was in the right here, right now awareness, with no memories of my past and no perception of the future

Change Therapy writes Creativity: a way out of depression?:

For me personally, the worst part of depression is a significant change in e-motion – in my inner movement, as well as in the actions that are influenced by that movement. When in a depression, the decision of whether to wear black or white socks is overwhelming because my decision-making apparatus has slowed down to a tired old snail’s pace. Leaving the house, if I manage it, can take two hours because putting on a coat and finding my keys present almost impossible-to-overcome obstacles. Fright or flight don’t work anymore – there’s only freeze.

axel g writes Memory And Thought:

Our attention or focus is continuously split between various activities. Think about it, when you’re not paying much attention to what something tastes like, because your mind is more interested in reading breaking news, you won’t be that aware of the taste of the food. On the contrary, if you do nothing else but eat and pay close attention to every bite you take and every taste that arises in your mind, then you’re said to be mindful or one with the present moment. With mindfulness we can be well aware of the taste of the food.

I Will Not Die writes How to become what you want to become, in about two days:

Do you want to know what prevents most people from achieving their dreams? Them. One of the most frequent obstacles people face when they try to reach their dreams is actually not a full-fledged obstacle at all. It’s just the way they are viewing the problem in the first place. In other words, the way they view the problem becomes a bigger problem than the problem. In a nutshell, they view the problem as something “other” making their dream a distant object, one that must be arrived at from some distance.

SharpBrains writes Why Smart Brains Make Stupid Decisions:

We just secured an interview with Ori Brafman, co-author of Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior (Doubleday Business, 2008), to discuss our Dark Side (well, he calls it “different hidden forces” and “psychological undercurrents”).

Dental Health and Dental Care Guide writes Danger Of Dental Amalgam Fillings With Mercury:

Consumer advocacy groups are pushing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban mercury used in dental amalgam fillings. Although a ban doesn’t look likely, the government may issue restrictions on amalgam fillings by next year. A recent lawsuit forced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to warn people about the possible dangers of mercury in dental fillings for some people, especially pregnant women and young children.

Potential 2 Success writes Eat This Now! The 20 Healthiest Foods You Shouldn’t Live Without:

In a 2006 University of Florida study, the Acai berry destroyed cultured human cancer cells. Acai is increasing in popularity and can now be found in smoothies, juices, and other products. But in order to get the most from the berry, it is best to buy a product that has been freeze-dried and prepared naturally.