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Arlene R. Taylor PhD www.arlenetaylor.org
Brain References
Presents

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
The term downshifting is a label for a natural brain phenomenon
It describes the brain’s response to a perceived lack of safety
It is designed for bona fide threats in the short term only

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Compare brain downshifting to a vehicle’s automatic transmission that shifts up/down automatically as needed in response to the environmental conditions it encounters
Brain downshifting occurs automatically in response to the degree of threat perceived by the brain (from 3 rd to 2 nd or 1 st )

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
In situations that involve trauma, crisis, fear, or any type of threat the brain tends to direct its attention and energy automatically toward lower brain areas attempting to access functions it hopes will promote safety
The person experiences a sense of anxiety or perceives a lack of safety rather than the excitement of a challenge

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
McLean’s Triune Brain is a model for understanding downshifting more easily . . .
Each brain layer contains distinct functions – although all systems interact continually
The brain can shift up and down through these brain layers or gears . . .

st
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Brain stem, Cerebellum (subconscious)
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Processes the present only
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Perceives positives easily
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Houses stress responses (fight-flight, tend-befriend, conserve-withdraw) and dominates when threat is perceived
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Provides awareness of your outer sensory environment

st
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Is egocentric and loosely resembles the “id”— I am here and it’s all about me!
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Doesn’t use language but perceives the internal mental pictures language creates
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Houses the Reticular Activating System that influences the EAI continuum
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Usually the last portion of the brain to die

nd
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Limbic System Structures (subconscious)
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Perceives present and past
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Perceives positives easily
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Processes information 80,000 times faster than the thinking brain layer
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Transfers information from short to long term memory; assembles associations for memory recall (search engine)

nd
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Loosely resembles the “ego” — I am here … but so are you
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Processes the sense of smell
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Directs immune system function
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Generates emotional impulses
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Provides the foundation for relationships with its tools of emotion

rd
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Cerebrum (eight lobes and consciousness)
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Registers awareness of present, past, and future
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Perceives positives and negatives
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Decodes all sensory data except for smell
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Limitless potential for processing concepts
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Uses all forms of language with complex analysis

rd
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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Loosely resembles the “superego” – can think of the good of others and do self-care
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Pre-frontal cortex contributes executive aspects ( e.g., abstract thought, metaphor, planning, goal-setting, paying attention, conscience, willpower, morality)
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Can process 125 bits of information and 40 bits of speech per second

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Fail to recall (e.g., people tend to recall less than 15% of what was told to them during a crisis)
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Decrease in cognitive learning
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Develop or activate phobias
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Accelerate the aging process
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Alter immune system

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Experience a reduced ability to take cues into consideration
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Less able to engage in complex mental tasks (e.g., decreased creativity)
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Fail to see interconnectedness or generate solutions for problems
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Reactivate old learned beliefs and patterns of behaviors or relapse into addictive behaviors regardless of available information

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Downshifted people can do some things well -- simple skills or rote memorization -because the brain perseverates under threat, and repetition provides a sense of safety when the brain feels unsafe
Repetition is compatible with many traditional parenting and teaching rewardpunishment-based systems and practices

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Alerts you to potential/real danger
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Identify the worst thing that could happen
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Evaluate possibility versus probability
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Can you do anything about the situation?
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If yes, take appropriate action
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If no, practice the Serenity Prayer …

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Usually involves negative thinking
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Sabotages problem-solving
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Is unlikely to improve the odds
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Typically represents learned behavior
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To change the way you feel, you must change the way you think!

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Identify behaviors you’ve exhibited when situations did not go well and when you were likely downshifted
 sighing, defending, stonewalling, arguing, crying, yelling, avoiding, pouting, whining, overreacting, overcomplying, fighting, isolating, overconforming, withdrawing (often related to fear —real or imagined)…

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Identify factors that have triggered your downshifting in the past so you can be better prepared in the future
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Trauma or crisis…
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Illness, fatigue, overwork…
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What someone said to or about you…
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Perceived negative experience…

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Identify patterns of behavior related to your downshifting
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When and/or where?
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Appropriate to the situation or not?
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Become a “victim” or an “offender?”
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Length of time downshifted?
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What tends to upshift you?

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Upshift using a pre-planned strategy
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Think of something humorous and choose to laugh
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Engage in positive self-talk
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Identify something to appreciate (it is physiologically impossible to be fearful and appreciative at the same time)
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Exercise (especially cross-lateral)

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
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Visualize yourself in a safe place
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Contract with yourself to
“deal with it later in the day”
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Engage in a task over which you have some control
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Sing, meditate, pray, recite a mantra
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Access your support system

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Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc
Develop strategies to prevent unnecessary downshifting, identify when your brain is downshifted, and get upshifted quickly
If communication is not going well with another brain, think “downshifting”
You cannot upshift another brain (even if your behavior triggered the downshifting) – you may be able to help the other brain feel safer so it can upshift on its own