Gay

I think there could be, but we can’t neglect epigenetics. You could be a member of this well-adjusted family and have these same things happen—like the one you’re articulating about your sister-in-law. However, if you’re genetically impaired and you’re somehow prone to a sympathetic arousal, then there is a different filter that we have to look at in terms of how you view this outcome of these childhood events. Because it is a self-report.

Bill B

Just to go back to one of our previous forums.  Mark brought up the matter of resilience. We have people who grow up in a very hostile environment during the first two years of life. There’s absolutely no way they’re going to have a fulfilling life, and they somehow do have a successful life. What’s that about? But then Mark brings up the issue about having that one mentor. Just having that one person can make a difference. So, we begin to look at these other factors, and particularly the one on resilience, I think we know absolutely nothing about that. I think, you know, the whole issue, all we do is we marvel at people who can do it, but we don’t know a lot about it.

I want to turn to Mitch. You’ve talked about the shifts that have occurred for you as a physician over the years. Part of what we’re talking about concerns us as physicians or psychologists. We are being confronted with issues related to trauma and resilience all the time. We’re not immune to all this. So, Mitch, do you have some thoughts about what’s been said?

Mitch

Several questions arise in my mind. First, can we overcome our epigenetics? I believe ACEs cause epigenetic changes that are predestination, but not destiny all out. So, I think the answer is yes. We can overcome our epigenetics.  The question then becomes, how is that done? Positive psychology is a very important thing. I’m thinking about people locked in a threat state. It is hard to get out of this state because you’re living within a mindset. There is a frame that is so well-traveled. Everything is interpreted through a specific lens, a specific mental model, a specific story. We impose our own mindset without even knowing that we’re doing it. We’re talking about this matter of threat as if it exists as a separate appraisal. However, when you’re in that threat state, you can’t see a separate appraisal as a separate vent. You are one with it. And I think that’s the tragedy. It is to not be able to see the threat state for what it is. We can’t stand back from it, and then make adjustments. But when you’re within it, I don’t think there’s a whole lot you can do to change your behavior. The epigenetics is doing that. Neuroplasticity might be engaged, but I think change in mindset and behavior is very difficult. The question becomes: how does that happen?

We can turn to the Flow state as a contrast. For me, when I’m climbing, I’m in a flow State. There is full attention to what you’re doing. You’re lost in the moment. It’s pure joy. And it’s just a little bit beyond what you’re able, but you got to concentrate, right? And I think it’s that concentration that puts us in a flow state. And when they look at the functional MRI of the flow state, the brain is lit up in multiple areas. It’s a synergy of brain function that can’t be sustained for long, but when you’re in it, it’s pure joy. And it’s learning, and it’s an output that’s tremendous. So, where does all that take us? For me, there’s a story. There’s a story regarding what I’m aware of and how I interpret the things I’m looking at. And that story is not me. The big learning for me was: wait a minute, if I’m not that story then who am I? Let me focus on who that is. And the story kind of diminishes over time. I think the neural pathways diminish over time so that the threat response is still there.  The threat state doesn’t go away ever, but it loses its major thoroughfare for me. When I’m aware of the story that interprets everything, the motive behind all these things that happen are based on my story. If I’m not aware of that, I’m locked in. Once I’m aware of that, I get to practice something different. And I guess that would be my contribution to this forum discussion. It is kind of fun to realize, wait a minute, I’m not my story. I’m not the threat interpretation that’s going on. I am someone substantially different and that’s worth exploring in and of itself. That would be my contribution.