Life patterns arise through the interaction of genetic predispositions with life's situations and stresses. They have a neurological basis and psychological manifestations. The psychological aspects have been described as mild forms of major mental problems or shadow syndromes. Such syndromes are described in Shadow Syndromes: The Mild Forms of Major Mental Disorders That Sabotage Us by John Ratey, M.D. and Catherine Johnson, Ph.D.
See www.ADDult.org for a summary of shadow syndromes.
Most people live with sub-clinical life patterns, which are limiting, but not debilitating. Some people have life patterns to a clinical degree – clinical depression, or an attention deficient disorder, etc. At the Dogwood Center, such cases, will be handled by a collaborative team that includes our staff psychiatrist.
At the Dogwood Center, we use both neurofeeback training and self development education to help people get back on track with their self development. Neurofeedback training is used to help people overcome the neurological patterns that underlie their shadow syndromes. By developing greater control over the regulation of their brainwave patterns, people gain the flexiblity and resilience necessary move beyond the limitations imposed by their shadow syndromes.
At the Dogwood Center, we use self development groups as context for mapping out self development goals and creating an action plan for achieving those goals. Movement from one stage of development to the next is a long term process that requires planning, motivation and perseverence. The group facilitator and the other participants provide guidance and support in creating a self development plan. The group provides motivation to follow through with the action plan.
Self development groups provide a safe setting in which people can develop new life patterns that will form the basis of their lives less hampered by shadow syndromes. While neurofeedback can help create the potential for self development, concerted effort and substantial support is often needed to realize a person's potential and grow!