WORD OF THE WEEK: Prosopagnosia

Summary: This week's WOW vocabulary word features a common aspect among those on the autism spectrum.

Can you imagine waking up in the morning, stumbling into the bathroom to shower and not recognizing the person in the mirror? This is the experience of people with extreme prosopagnosia, a medical condition sometimes called face blindness.

It's asserted that people who have the condition, often known as prosopagnosics, generally have difficulty recognizing places, objects and/or emotions, too. Particularly, they have a hard time recognizing emotions as they are displayed on the face or in body language. Sound familiar? It should. It describes people on the autism spectrum with HFA (High Functioning Autism) or Asperger Syndrome—all part of this week's featured brain challenge.

The word itself was coined in 1947 in a research paper by German neurologist Joachim Bodamer, who concocted it by combining one Greek word, prosopon (or face) with the medical term for recognition impairment, agnosia. Interestingly enough, agnosia is the combo of two more Greek words: gnosis for knowledge and a for the negative, as in "not known." The American pronunciation is PRAH - so - pag - NO - zhya.

Click here to test your own recognition of faces.


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

This Week's Brain Challenge: Autism

Summary: What does the word autism mean to you? Over the next couple of weeks, we'll explore some resources and meet at least one expert that can share some examples of empowerment in ASDs.

Often, when I hear the word autism, I'm transported to a visceral memory of sitting in a doctor's office, waiting as patiently as an 11-year-old can for my great-grandmother to emerge. (Some parts of the memory are foggy, such as where exactly this doctor's office was and if, in fact, it really was my great-grandmother's appointment and not that of someone else.) And within this memory, I am transported into a story.

The story—rather, the article I was reading during my time in the waiting room—was about a little boy with autism, and how his parents were thrilled that a dolphin-swim adventure in Florida (or perhaps Hawaii) had seemingly brought him out of his 'world' within. This story gripped me fully: I have a vivid inner world of creativity. Was I autistic?

The writer of the article strove to paint a picture with words, something that is typically a challenge for people with autism, since they don't operate with "theory of mind." (See more on this via the video link below.) Furthermore, the article was written primarily from the parents' point of view with mostly guesswork as to what this "world within" was like for the little boy with autism. Being a kid, myself, at the time, I was incredibly curious about his inner life.

What is autism? I've since learned along with the rest of the world that it's not something that strikes just anyone at any time, but is rather a difference in brain development that does have a genetic component. (The potential environmental factors are still in dispute.)

Often referred to nowadays as an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, it is—like all brain challenges—on a continuum. Ranging from high-functioning (HFA) to severe, ASDs share some similar symptoms, no matter where they fall on the spectrum. Some of these are:

• difficulty making or holding eye contact
• confusion over social skills and etiquette
• challenges in reading body language or other cues
• further challenges in understanding one's own or others' emotions
• hyper-sensitivity to sensory stimuli (i.e., loud noises or certain odors or tastes)
• lack of "theory of mind"
• extraordinary intelligence.

Later this week and next, I'll be sharing some resources on autism/ASDs—including points from my interview with Brian King, M.S.W., who not only mentors ASD kids and their parents, but is the father of three sons on the autism spectrum, the husband to a wife with ASD, and even identifies himself as a Spectrumite along with the rest of his family. He knows a lot about this subject! Keep reading if you want to know more, too.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

3 Easy Ways to Speak Clearly When You're Depressed

Summary: Concluding our blog series about the brain challenges that depression brings, today I share with you 3 easy ways to change negative brain chemistry and re-focus your communication skills when you need to most.

Depression seriously hinders your ability to communicate clearly. In fact, it even affects your ability to think clearly, so that often when you're down, you may not know what it is you really mean to say. Consider this scenario:

You oversleep (a common symptom of depression) and find yourself running late to an important work meeting. Because of the negative outlook you have during depressed states, you can't stop thinking about how many times you've been late before and the dire consequences it will have on your career this time. You even focus on a mental list you make of your negative traits, including "laziness" for oversleeping again. Because your brain is preoccupied with all of this, you have a hard time focusing on your routine and wind up running even further behind. To make matters worse, you walk out the door without the important report you need for the meeting!

By the time you get to the meeting—late, of course—and realize your mistake, you know you'll have some explaining to do. But the only thoughts you can muster sound something like: "I'm such a failure. I'm probably going to get fired from this project, and I deserve it, too." And when you're confronted by your supervisor at the meeting's end, it's pretty much those sentiments you share, only even less intelligibly.

Here are three techniques that can help you think more clearly to lessen depression's hold on your tongue and your outlook this winter:

Exercise - Studies have shown that regular exercise changes brain chemistry, promoting "feel good" chemicals like endorphins that can provide a euphoric feeling. (Ever hear of "runner's high?" It's not just a myth!) During depression, these chemicals are generally lacking; so boosting them can restore balance. Start small if you must: The simple act of walking around the block counts.

Meditation - Similarly, meditation promotes harmony in brain chemistry and harmony in the body, too. Pain is another common symptom of the disease, but calming your worry and negativity will help to alleviate some of that. If you've already been exercising, a good time to meditate is right after your workout, when you are experiencing some positivity. Start by focusing on your body first—how it feels as you sit or lie down; what your breath feels like in your chest, lungs, belly, nostrils; any other sensations you notice. Then move into noticing your thoughts. If you practice observing them without judgment, you may further lessen depression's grip on your thinking. This may be hard to start with, but it does get easier. To help, picture thoughts like buses or trains that you watch but choose not to enter.

Affirmations - If you're able to exercise at least three times a week (mornings are best if you're suffering from depression, because you can start your day off with a little clarity) and are meditating at least once a week after you exercise, you're certainly ready to tackle the rest of that negative thinking with some conscious counter-thinking. Affirmations are excellent tools for this. A good, simple affirmation for depression is: "I feel good. I intentionally create my life today."

I've mentioned that I'm prone to seasonal depression, myself. (For more on the different types of depression, click here.) I like to combine affirmations and exercise together by dancing around to music on my earbuds: a mix of songs with "happy" and "feel good" that are upbeat. My favorite mix includes four different versions of James Brown's "I Feel Good!" And it makes me feel just that. Try some of these techniques for yourself and tell me how it makes you feel.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: Doleful

Summary: This is the last week we'll be looking at depression, one of the issues that often challenges our brains during communication. In keeping with the theme, this week's WOW is doleful ...

Last week, my extended family experienced the loss of a wonderful woman named Pauline. A fun, spirited woman, Pauline had a cheery effect on us whenever she was around. She was smiling and accepting, and she was even up for poking fun at herself instead of taking herself too seriously. I, for one, can learn a lot from her legacy.

We're all grieving the loss of her presence, to say the least. One of the most insidious aspects of grief is its ability to pop up whenever it wants to: Often the death of one loved one will take us back to the losses of those we're still somehow inwardly mourning. Because Pauline's passing was unexpected, I've found myself thinking a lot lately about other family members who were taken away too soon and without warning: a cousin who overdosed, another who was shot and killed, and an uncle who died in a car accident. One thing that's different in this case is that Pauline fortunately lived a long, full life and was even a great-grandmother.

I guess you could say I've been a little doleful in my thinking over the last week. Not familiar with the term? Let me help:

Doleful (DOHL - full) – (adj.) cheerless or full of grief; also, causing grief or affliction; also, expressing grief/sadness. Synonyms can include: melancholy, plaintive, plangent, funereal—or even sad or depressed.

The last thing I want to do is bring you down as I speak my truth. So, here's something to look forward to: The next post will include more links on changing your brain, plus some tips and tricks for ways you can improve your communication even when negative thinking (like that found in depression) tries to hijack you.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: Serotonin

Summary: This week's scientific-sounding word may be more important to you than you think. It affects the most apparent part about the way you communicate with your world and with yourself: your mood!

What is serotonin? And why should you care?

You don't have to be a "Wise Geek" to want to learn about this important hormone found in the brain and elsewhere in the body that transmits nerve impulses. As such, it's a neurotransmitter, and it works with other neurotransmitters (like noradrenaline, dopamine and its very own off-shoot, melatonin) to help us operate important body functions—like digestion and blood flow. It also affects and helps to create our moods.

Many anti-depressant drugs make use of serotonin to help normalize moods in depressed people. In fact, there are a whole class of such drugs known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, that work with the brain's naturally occurring neurotransmitters (especially serotonin) to change the balance of the various brain chemicals and to artificially generate a more normalized amount of each—thus balancing out a person's moods, as well.

You can learn much more about serotonin and other neurotransmitters here at this website that breaks down neuroscience into kid-friendly lessons. And, as on every Monday, you can learn about the word serotonin, this week's featured word, below.

Serotonin (SER - uh - TOW - nin) - (n.) a powerful vasoconstrictor, or hormone/neurotransmitter, that's found in the brain, blood stream and gastric mucous membranes of mammals, including humans. The first known use of this word was in 1948 by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic who combined the words serum and tone (as in vascular tone) to coin the term serotonin. The chemical name for it is 5-HT.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

How to Think Your Way to a Better Future

Summary: From bumper stickers to résumés, today's post covers the gamut. It's all about how to change your thinking, so you can be open to life's opportunities ...

Do you ever read bumper stickers on the cars in front of you? Yesterday on the expressway, I passed a car with so many bumper stickers, I thought it had been attacked by graffiti ... until I got a little closer to it. Then I laughed!

Can a bumper sticker really change someone's mind? Maybe not. But chances are that if someone believes the slogan, it can certainly help to solidify a belief. And if a belief is really solid, it becomes that person's reality—or in other words, his or her truth.

So, if a bumper sticker—something you read in passing—can have that much power, imagine what an affirmation can do for you.

If you or someone you love suffers from depression, chances are the real culprit (next to those pesky brain chemicals that genetically predispose you or them to depressed states) is your thinking. The way we think has a major impact on our world, from the clothes we wear to the people we surround ourselves with to even the careers we pursue. For instance, so many clients come to me for résumé-related communications packages who are simply looking to change jobs, but they admit they don't have any direction on where to go next except simply "out of here." These clients ask for a generic résumé that they think will snag them their ticket to freedom. But the truth is they're actually limiting their options by not envisioning themselves as worthy of any specific next step to career growth.

I love working with clients like these, because I was once in their shoes. In my late 20s, the job I'd loved became the job I resented, simply because the path I initially envisioned for myself was not available to me there. But I was too afraid to leave the job security and strike out on my own. Today, when I can help clients to admit their worth to themselves, I get the chance to watch them make peace with their present jobs and to keep their relationships with their current employers intact as they look for something more suited to them.

Don't let fear of the economy stop you from seeking your true calling. Don't let depression rule your perspective in any aspect of life. To learn more about the secret, nagging doubts that can sneak attack your brain, check out The Mindful Way through Depression by Jon Kabat-Zinn et. al. or download the Speak Your Truth e-workbook. And change the way you think about your life and your opportunities today.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: Hypengyophobia

Summary: I get a little personal in today's post and share some background about my relationship to leadership. Then I tell you how this week's word, hypengyophobia, is—or isn't—related to leadership.

With the lack of blog posts I've been making over the last few weeks, I'm beginning to think I may have hypengyophobia! What is that, you ask? Well, maybe you can break it down and take a guess or two ...

But first, let me tell you a little personal background: I've been a 'leader' throughout most of my life. But the fact of the matter is until I was in my teens, I tended to lead only from behind the scenes. Attention made me uncomfortable. And I just didn't see myself as someone others could look up to as a decision-maker. I've learned since that my younger sisters saw me quite differently than I saw myself.

Once I did start taking leadership positions—say, as the president of my church youth group or as the managing editor of my high school newspaper—I still struggled with speaking up and asking questions. Unfortunately for me (and everyone I was supposedly leading), I thought at that time that question-asking equaled weakness. I've learned since that asking questions and truly listening to answers are important aspects of leadership. So is humility. But that's a subject for another post. I think the most sincerely important role for any leader is to ask for help whenever it's needed. So, as I begin my search for interns to help me manage my time, I'm presently struggling with posting blogs as frequently as I'd like.

I'm not just sharing these little tidbits at random. They really are related to today's Word of the Week.

If you've studied your prefixes, suffixes and root words, you probably already know that phobia comes from the Greek for fear. The most recent Top Ten List from Merriam-Webster is another list of phobias (something I've blogged about before). I confess to having ochlophobia, fear of crowds, and a touch of amathophobia, or an aversion to dust bunnies. But before we go trading secrets—I'm just dying to know what you have, of course—let me explain today's WOW.

Hypengyophobia (HY - PEN - jee - o - FO - bee - yuh) – an abnormal fear of responsibility. Hypengyos is Greek for responsible. This word entered the English language in the late 1780s.

So, what words on the list strike terror in your heart? Better yet, what's your relationship to responsibility? And does depression—our present brain challenge—ever affect your abilities as a leader?

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Word of the Week: Amygdala

Summary: Today's word is another medical term that goes along with the brain challenge we're presently studying—depression.

In the last post, we began looking at depression—one of the brain challenges that can adversely affect communication. We also learned a little about the different parts of the brain that are involved in the creation of depression, such as those chemicals and neurons that are central to brain function.

Currently, there is some controversy about an area (or areas) of the brain known as the amygdala. According to Scholarpedia, many scientists now believe that the amygdala is not its own brain 'structure' at all, but is a part of other structures within the brain that work together to perform certain functions. Originally, however, it was thought to be made up of a couple of almond-shaped nuclei (as shown, below left, in a bird's eye view of the brain), responsible for sensory input—including that input of arousal and fear and other emotions. Hence, the amygdala has its roots in the creation of depression in the brain. (The second image, below right, indicates where the amygdala is located in the brain.)

But before I show you the brain images, let's look together at the word itself:

Amygdala (UH - MIG - duh - luh) - According to Merriam-Webster.com, it's "one of the four basal ganglia in each cerebral hemisphere that is part of the limbic system, and consists of an almond-shaped mass of gray matter in the anterior extremity of the temporal lobe—called also amygdaloid nucleus." The word originated in around 1845 from the Greek amygdale for almond. Pluralized, as it is sometimes now written (thanks to a better understanding of its multiple parts), the word is spelled amygdalae.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

This Week's Brain Challenge: Depression

Summary: Today's post starts off a series on depression and communication.

"I'm depressed!" How many times have you heard this said--or even said it yourself? Your answer depends in large part upon the way your brain works.

The fact is, everyone's brains are different. However, many parts of our brains are similar; just read this ThinkQuest post--complete with illustrations--for a little "for instance" on brain damage and communication. As it explains, the sections that control various purposes in the brain have general locations of commonality. But even those can differ from person to person.

Similarly, our brains function with neurons as connectors, as well as with certain chemicals (found in the limbic system), like serotonin, dopamine and derivative chemicals like adrenaline. A long explanation can be found here, for those of you who are more academically inclined to understand this process. But the bottom line is: The brain is a precious thing, and it's also very powerful. Any disruption in the careful balance of chemicals in your brain can cause reactions that are out of the range of 'normal'--reactions that include the disease of depression.

Over the next several posts, we'll be looking at depression in a variety of forms, as well as ways depression can affect your communication skills and abilities, even if you aren't the person who's suffering from it. We'll also examine how you can improve your ability to speak and to listen more clearly when depression is a part of the message.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

What Type of ADD Do You Exhibit?

Summary: Did you know that ADD symptoms can suggest a specific type of ADD diagnosis? It's not as complicated as you might think. Take this brief quiz to learn more--about ADHD and you.

Have you ever been diagnosed with or thought you could pass for having ADD? Have you ever thought your spouse, romantic partner, children or even your co-workers might have it? If so, answer these questions--on your own or their behalf--to learn more:

(1) How frequently do you struggle with listening to someone else speak?
A. Often: Whether it's a formal presentation or 10-minute conversation, I'm often thinking of something else the entire time.
B. Sometimes--but mostly because I want to jump up and invite them to an adventure.

(2) Do you often lose your keys, wallet, ID or other important items?
A. Yes, even when I create a 'system' to track them.
B. No, this isn't much of a problem for me ... unless you count intentionally burying them in the snow just for a laugh!

(3) Have you ever regretted an action even as you were doing it--but not been able to stop?
A. No ... unless it was the act of interrupting someone who was speaking.
B. Yes! (Please don't make me say more.)

(4) Do you frequently overspend your budget on items you don't need, even duplicate items?
A. I have done this before, but it's not a common practice.
B. I do this all the time.

(5) Do you tell little white lies (or big ones) without even realizing you're doing it?
A. Only when the story I'm telling is really, really boring and I need to obviously exaggerate to make it more fun.
B. I think I may have a chronic problem with this.

(6) Is reading a chore for you?
A. I have a hard time paying attention to anything I read, watch or hear.
B. It can be--usually because I can't sit still for that long.

There are three basic subtypes of ADHD: The first is known as "Predominantly Inattentive Attention Deficit Disorder." The second, true ADHD, is called "Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive." "Combined" is the subset of ADD/ADHD that features symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity. (A fourth subtype is known as "Not Otherwise Specified," meaning it doesn't fall easily into one of the other categories.) What category are you in? Let's look at your quiz scores:

If you answered "A" 4-6 times, your subcategory is likely inattentive. If you answered "B" 4-6 times, your subcategory is likely hyperactive-impulsive. Of course, if your answers were fifty-fifty, 3 "As" and 3 "Bs," you qualify as having combined ADD/ADHD. But if you had a hard time identifying with any of the answers, your ADD may fall into that fourth subtype--or you may not have it at all.

NOTE: This test is not meant as a substitute for a psychological evaluation or diagnosis. Its scoring system has not been ranked by any psychiatrist or psychological association. If you believe you do have ADHD, please seek professional, accredited help.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: Introspectional

Summary: This week's vocabulary word, introspectional, correlates to today's new poll and the current subject of ADD brain and social challenges. Read ahead to see for yourself--and then respond to the questions at the end of the post with any life lessons you care to share.

I've posted a new poll especially for those of you with ADD (or ADHD). We'll examine more thoroughly the different types of Attention Deficit Disorder later this week. But for now, I'm curious about what you struggle with the most in managing your ADD.

All this introspection has led me to consider the prime word for this week's WOW (Word of the Week): introspectional. This noun aptly defines what we're doing with brain challenges like ADHD.

Introspectional (IN - trow - SPECK - shun - uhl) - From the Latin introspectus, which comes from the verb form that means "to look inside," an introspectional can be a moment or an event of reflecting and self-examining your thoughts and feelings. The poll I've posted--that will remain open for the next week--is a perfect opportunity for a personal introspectional, if you suffer from ADD.

And after your introspective moment or two, you can share with the rest of us some of the best ways that YOU'VE learned to manage your Attention Deficit Disorder-related challenges: How do you stay organized and focused? What's your trick for sitting still for lengthy periods of time when the situation calls for it? Most importantly, how have you accepted yourself for who you are, challenges and all?

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Self-Awareness and ADHD

Summary: What's it like to live with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? In this post, we explore some of the strengths and some of the challenges of life with this particular brain type.

ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder--also known simply as ADD for Attention Deficit Disorder) can be difficult to live with. If you or someone you love has it, life can sometimes seem "unfair."

Life with a challenged brain is simply known to those living with the challenge(s) as "life." If it weren't for certain social expectations, such as punctuality, goal-setting and achievement, organization and career advancement, ADD people would probably live life without any sense of being "different." However, if you live with ADHD, you know that such expectations have a tendency to pressure you (and your fellow ADD sufferers) sometimes almost unreasonably.

Here are some quotes by people who've learned to manage their Attention Deficit Disorders:

* "Losing my keys and going crazy trying to find them used to be a daily occurrence." - Tara McGillicudy of My ADD / ADHD Blog

* "Some of us ADHD adults (like myself) self-medicate with information. I love learning about new things and ideas: Quite stimulating and a great way to boost dopamine, the neurotransmitter that does many things, but helps us focus and is the reward chemical among other things. ADDers have lower levels of dopamine, so we do positive and negative things to help increase it." - Pete Quily of Adult ADD Strengths

* "Lately, my ADD wife (who is now all too familiar with some of the impact her ADD is having in her social relationships), is beginning to share her feelings of overwhelm and low self-esteem with me. Things like 'I just have SO many things to work on and I can't be working on these things all the time!' and 'I can't believe anybody even likes me, because I am so bad in conversations.'" - Reader of Melissa Orlov and Dr. Ned Hallowell's ADHD and Marriage

It's apparent from these comments by ADD-affected people--some of whom are professional experts in managing ADD brain challenges--that those with ADHD diagnoses are all too painfully aware of their social differences. But as Pete Quily and some others note, these differences can also be strengths. Here is a snippet taken from his "151 Positive Characteristics of People with Attention Deficit Disorder":

Adaptive - Can see the big picture - Comfortable with change and chaos - Constantly evolving - Creates connections easily - Detail-oriented - Energetic - Good in emergency situations - Great storyteller - Likes learning new things - Lots of interests - Multitasks well - Outgoing - Passionate - Playful - Spontaneous - Takes initiative - Tenacious - Willing to help others

Does this describe you or your ADD loved one? Self-awareness means recognizing your limitations as well as your strengths. When you can see the two areas together, you have a clearer, more realistic picture of yourself as a whole. And, like reading a map, you can move forward from there.

In the next post, we'll look at the differences between the three different ADD-specific diagnoses. 'Til then, you may enjoy reading my article on How to Meditate with ADD.


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

This Week's Brain Challenge: Attention Deficit Disorder

Summary: Starting off our series on overcoming brain challenges during communication, we address ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) in both adults and children. This overview provides some great tips and links.

Brain challenges can be categorized under almost every letter of the alphabet. Let's start off our series on the unique communications strategies needed for people with "challenged brains" at the top of the alphabet: with ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder.

Also sometimes called Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), ADD is prevalent in children and adults who have an obviously hard time sitting still for any lengthy period. Children "fidget" frequently when they're young. But after the age of 7, it's common for them to begin learning to sit still when appropriate, such as during school lessons or worship services. Adults also wiggle and squirm when their minds are on something else--extreme worries about their children in the next room, for example. However, if you are an adult (or the parent of a child) who cannot be still on any given day, you may consider learning more about ADD.

Those with the ADD diagnosis also face other challenges:
- lack of focus / inability to concentrate on one subject at a time;
- high energy levels;
- chronic disorganization.

What this looks like to the outsider is:
- distraction away from the conversation or task at hand, either by looking elsewhere or by regularly asking the speaker to repeat what's just been said; making simple mistakes in work;
- extreme "playfulness" (jumping, skipping, and general horsing around of a physical nature that can sometimes unwittingly violate another person's space boundaries); also loudness of voice;
- constantly losing items or forgetting dates and times and other important information.

As a business professional, parent or otherwise responsible adult, how do you overcome the extreme challenges of ADD to be successful in the world? How do you communicate with others appropriately--especially when you have a hard time even hearing them in the first place? Below are some practical tips for minimizing your own communications struggles with ADD.

(1) Be aware of yourself. The more you know your limitations, the more you're able to expand them. Later this week, we'll discuss some specific ways you can become more self-aware.

(2) Improve your concentration. There are a number of online games to help you on this front. Brain games are an excellent way to mitigate brain challenges. Check out this one from Lumosity that's designed to train your attention.

(3) Rely on external resources. You can stay organized better by using organizational tools. Most smart cell phones have alarm clock and calendar applications that come in very handy (pun intended) when you use them on the go wherever you are. If you are less electronically inclined, you can purchase a datebook and carry it with you to stay on track. Some styles even have pockets and pouches for important items like credit cards, keys, and whatever else you prize (but can't seem to find).

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

Poll Results: Do You Have a Challenged Brain?

Summary: The latest poll question has been answered and closed. You shared openly and honestly about your brain challenges. Now let's explore more together, over the coming weeks, about the communications challenges they present you and how you can grow to overcome them.

I've already asked if you have a challenged brain. Many of us do--most certainly when we're worked up emotionally. But other challenges can pressure our brains, our bodies, our outlook on life. Some examples you know are:

- Attention Deficit Disorder, also known as ADD or ADHD (for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Commonly diagnosed in children, this brain challenge can also affect adults, especially those who have had it since childhood. It's commonly characterized by difficulty focusing or paying close attention to one subject at a time; simple mistakes in tasks or homework that are made even when the person knows the right answer or the correct way of performing tasks; chronic disorganization and forgetfulness. (Tara McGillicuddy, a blogger who not only coaches people with ADHD, but also has it herself, just posted about a workshop she'll be presenting this fall on self-advocacy strategies for adults and teens.)

- Mood disorders: These run the gamut from short-term and seasonal depression to Type I Bipolar Disorder, which can contain periodic hallucinations and psychosis. Substance-induced mood disorders can mirror other such brain challenges, but are only brought on by the intake of substances like drugs and alcohol and/or their withdrawal from the body/brain. (Some mood-related blogs I recommend are Julie Fast's "Bipolar Happens," "My Son Has 2 Brains"--a mother's perspective on raising a young child with a mood disorder--and Helia's health blog about Seasonal Affective Disorder.)

- Autism: A brain challenge that may or may not involve brain chemistry, but definitely involves the size and shape of the brain and its hemispheres, autism--like most brain challenges--appears on a sliding scale, or spectrum. People with High Functioning Autism and Aspgerger Syndrome have the ability to socialize, but are often somewhat confused by the hidden 'rules' of social life and society. This confusion becomes increasingly deeper the further you go into the autism spectrum; those with full-blown autism frequently seem to live inside their own heads, rarely communicating verbally with others, except via sound bites they may have taken from TV shows, music and movies. (From a parent's perspective, "The Joy of Autism" is an interesting blog; from that of someone with an autistic brain, visit "Aspitude!")

Of those who voted, only one reader indicated, "My brain is only challenged whenever I am emotional," meaning that several of you with additional challenges were interested in this poll.

What didn't I include in the poll? Psychiatric and personality disorders like schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder, Oppositional/Defiant Disorder and Histrionic Personality Disorder are just a few. I could also have listed other learning disorders or challenges that affect the senses like deafness or blindness. (Incidentally, the blogger at "Aspitude!", Elisia Ashkenazy, is also profoundly deaf.)

All brain challenges can be 'overcome' through hard work and a desire to grow. The first step is recognition. Over the coming weeks, let's look at some specific challenges to communicating clearly that these and other brain challenges give you. More importantly, let's solve some challenges--together!


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

What is a Challenged Brain?

Summary: There are many types of challenges that our brains have to deal with--not the least of which is the way we process our emotions. When mental health is in question, such as in the cases outlined below (even my own!), brain challenges are even more pronounced. Read on to learn more resources and coping mechanisms.

I have a challenged brain. Every year, as the summer sun begins to wane into winter's darkness, I lose precious amounts of vitamin D that my body just doesn't create to its fullest potential. And that creates a whole host of side effects: insomnia, irritability, lack of focus, and most obvious of all, depression. Depending on what else is going on in my life, the depression can be mild to severe.

It's been happening since I was five, which is over 30 years now. So, it's pretty easy for me to know what to look for. But for some, depression hits like a big truck in a blind side.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms:

- a change in sleep patterns (this could be oversleeping, having difficulty falling asleep, suddenly awakening in the middle of the night or early in the morning, or simply feeling lethargic throughout the day)

- changes in eating habits (many people overeat or lose their appetites when depressed)

- social changes (isolation--cutting yourself off from the people you used to associate with--is the most common form of social difference that depressed people exhibit; however, individual changes can range from avoiding certain people and places to over-socializing and risk-taking during certain bipolar depression states)

Learn more about depression, mental health, and the challenged brain at this page on Jim Phelps' PsychEducation.org.

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

I Can't Talk When I'm Emotional!

Summary: If you "can't talk" (or have a hard time communicating the way you want to) when you're emotional, check out the links below to start improving those skills today.

If the title to this post applies to you, you've come to the right blog. Beyond Talk specializes in cutting through the clutter of exaggerated emotions, so that you can say what you really mean instead of sputtering out nonsense or simply shutting down.

I'm in the process of putting together a series of guest posts around this subject. (Contact me if you're interested in guest blogging.) For now, here is a list of links that you can turn to:

- Speak-Your-Truth.com - The e-workbook sold at this site provides more than a dozen exercises designed specifically to help you recognize when and where emotions start in you, personally, as well as ways you can change your brain chemistry to speak clearly while emotional.

- Emotional Intelligence Central - Full of information on emotional intelligence, sometimes called EQ, this site reminds readers right on the home page that "Strong relationships are based on emotional intelligence."

- HelpGuide.org - This non-profit site reviews emotional health from a variety of perspectives, including for those with challenged brains.

- Pathway to Happiness - Reclaim your brain by understanding your emotions here!

The latest poll here--which just closed--shows that the majority of you readers and responders agree that it's hard for you to communicate clearly when your emotions overwhelm you. (Interestingly enough, the second largest group of Beyond Talk readers say, "I am an excellent communicator!") Where do you rank?

© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010

WORD OF THE WEEK: Neuro-Typical

Summary: Is your brain neuro-typical? If so, you have what's considered to be 'normal' brain chemistry. But that doesn't mean you can always escape the brain challenges that come with emotional overload.

As a Communications Coach, I specialize in what I like to call "the challenged brain"—clients who may have ADD/ADHD, clinical depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder, even Asperger Syndrome, which is on the tip of the autism spectrum.

Challenged brains experience an inordinate amount of problems in communication. Because challenged brains don't produce a balanced amount of neurotransmitters (chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine and others that specifically regulate emotion), people who have challenged brains are often flooded with emotions. And when that happens, the ability to make decisions—like what to say next that's appropriate to the situation—significantly diminishes.

But even people with neuro-typical brains experience moments of "brain challenge." This happens when an abundance of emotion floods the brain, and the neuro-typical person has a fight-or-flight response to what's in front of her or him.

You can probably figure it out from context, but just to be certain, here's the definition of neuro-typical (sometimes spelled without the hyphen):

Neuro-typical (NER - ro - TIP - i - kal) - (adj.) having neurological developments and states that are balanced, or 'normal' for the average human being. Often abbreviated as NT , the term was coined by the autism community to reference those not on the autism spectrum, likely beginning in the 1980s. It has since been adopted by other brain-centered communities and groups, especially throughout the United Kingdom. (Please note: This week's word pronunciation comes from HowJSay.com, and has two pronunciation keys—the first in standard U.K. English and the second in American English.)

For a little more insight into emotional overload and the challenges this causes a neuro-typical brain, click here to read this opinion piece by James Williams, a speaker and advocate for the autism community who, himself, has High Functioning Autism.


© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010