Brain Patterns

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"Pandemic-Depression": Maybe it's not what you think?

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I’ve had a number of recent conversations about “pandemic depression”. Some people call it “depression”, others a “zero-passion” place, others “constant fatigue”. Most of these conversations have been with people who feel like there’s “no reason” to feel this way, who recognize that they’re in a fairly privileged place: working at home, staying healthy, sufficient money for the rent and food, etc.

But what they have in common is their assumption that there is something wrong with them. And I don’t like people assuming there is something wrong with them — that they need fixing. So I want to offer an alternative view to the pathologizing of what I think is a natural reaction to pandemic-isolation.

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Can Brain Waves Get Stuck??: Mind Your Metaphors

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I received this question in my email:

Q: For my final research project I am researching brainwaves and neurofeedback. what I am trying to find out and understand specifically is how brainwaves can get "stuck" in a certain part of the brain... if you would be willing to help me understand this if you understand it yourself, or maybe give me a direction in which to look I would really appreciate it.

So what? Apart from a student research project, who cares? Why am I sharing this?

For me, how we think about and understand the world and our lives is all about metaphor. Whenever we try to understand something new, our brain is always making connections based on what that something or someone is “like”.

So when we attach a metaphor to something we want to understand, that metaphor drives our concepts about it, our expectations, our strategies — everything. If someone new reminds you physically of someone you heartily dislike, you tend to dislike things they say or do, read their motivations as if they were the other person, etc. When it comes to our brains, as your Brain Mentor, I want to caution you about accepting metaphors that limit your options.

And the idea of brainwaves getting “stuck” is one such misguided metaphor.

Let me tell you why…