By Ronnie Freedman, Ph.D.
It has been referred to as depersonalization, derealization, brain fog, unreality, burnout, battle fatigue, disassociation, disorientation, shell shock and numbness. It’s been described as feeling foggy, cloudy, unreal, unfocused, unclear and fuzzy. Many experience a hyper-awareness of their actions, as if they are watching themselves live their lives, a feeling of emotional numbness and inability to enjoy the present moment. The majority of individuals are distressed, frightened and worried that something damaging has occurred to both mind and body, endlessly searching their memory for an event or situation that might have created this outcome.
In reality, this is a fatigued mind, one that has become exhausted due to the habit of constant worry and fearful thought. Regardless of the trigger, which could have been prolonged worry, lingering illness, perceived illness, medication use, marijuana use , guarded thoughts, perceived danger, or stressful relationship in one’s personal life or workplace, the element of constant worry is always an underlying factor.
Doubt is largely a part of this disorder as well. It fuels the worries and convinces the individual that he or she must be “stuck” in an everlasting fogginess of mind. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Two factors feed into this disorder. Fear and worry become the fuel which maintains the foggy mind. Plummeting serotonin levels in the brain, along with an imbalance in blood sugar levels, add to the discomfort.
It is essential to understand this condition in order to overcome it and move on. One must understand that this is simply a fatigued mind, ready to refresh once one learns how to move out of their own way. The habit of fearful thinking keeps the individual “stuck” and must be addressed and replaced by the correct way thinking. One unproductive habit must be replaced by a more productive one. We refer to this as retraining or taming an overactive mind. One is reprogramming a fearful mind and allowing it to refresh by doing so. It is not difficult yet specific in nature.
The second part of this recovery method is learning to use diet/nutrition to create a mind and body that is far less reactive. Serotonin levels in the brain have plummeted due to continuous fearful thought. It is essential to learn how to boost serotonin levels in the brain, naturally. This creates a mind/body environment that is far more conducive to recovery and actually cuts recovery time in half for most.
Through reprogramming your mind, which is achieved by learning how to think differently and eat correctly, one is able to recover in a relatively short period of time. Progress is boosted and jump-started by our weekly telephone sessions that ensure the proper guidance and instructions on how to use the program most effectively .
Serotonin Levels are naturally boosted by:
- Proper diet and nutrition: Geared to boost serotonin, balance blood sugar levels and create a far less reactive mind and body.
- Moderate exposure to outdoor light (even cloudy days provide enough light to make a difference). Light enters through optic nerve and boosts serotonin levels.
- Moderate exercise, preferably outdoors.
- Repetitive motion (knitting, chewing gum, exercises)
- Interruption of anxiety and fearful thinking, which pulls down serotonin levels.
- Proper relaxation and sleep routine.
Medications are unnecessary since this is not an illness. Serotonin levels are boosted rapidly, especially by proper intake of specific foods and lifestyle. Medications often hold serotonin in the brain but if one is not eating correctly there is nothing to hold. If one is eating correctly, serotonin levels are enhanced on a daily level, naturally, which no longer necessitates the use of medications or supplements.
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