Episode 015 - Marinating on Brain Health with Dr. Amen
May is Brain Health Awareness Month. In today’s episode, Derwin sits down with one of today’s leading experts on brain health, Dr. Daniel Amen. This interview was originally recorded for Transformation Church’s Brain Health Conversations. You can find more information on these conversations at transformationchurch.tc.
Links:
The End of Mental Illness by Dr. Daniel Amen
Transformation Church - Brain Health Awareness Month
Notes:
*This conversation guide was created for TC and is being made available here for you to walk through on your own or with a group after listening to the interview.
What is Brain Health and why is it important?
Dr. Daniel Amen
Why brain health instead of mental health?
· Mental illness taints people with disparaging labels. That tainting leads to shame which can lead to people being afraid to reach out for help.
· What if mental health problems were evaluated and treated like other medical issues, and physicians were using functional imaging tools, genetics, and other markers to guide treatment?
· This can help reframe these issues as brain-based and medical, not moral.
· It is time to shed light on the biological and neurological basis of mental health issues in order to decrease stigma and discrimination.
· Jesus is a holistic Savior. He created your brain, so He cares about it.
How to treat your brain better:
· Sleep.
· Discipline when it comes to usage of mobile devices.
· Practicing digital hygiene (which is as important as washing your hands).
· Ask for help when you notice symptoms in yourself or others.
· Avoid drug use as it can lead to psychosis.
Parents:
· God gave parents to be frontal lobes for their kids until they develop frontal lobes.
· Parents need to establish boundaries and safeguards for their kids.
ANTS - Automatic Negative ThoughtS
· Develop an internal anteater to get rid of them.
· You don’t have to believe everything you think.
· Whenever you begin to feel sad, nervous, or out of control; write down what you’re thinking and ask yourself, “is this really true?”
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.
Questions to Consider:
· Have you been able to distinguish the difference between mental and brain health? Why is Dr. Amen a proponent of this approach? How does this help reframe these issues in your mind?
· Are you taking good care of your brain?
· What changes do you need to make in order to treat your brain better? Do you need to reconsider your sleep habits? Your mobile device habits?
· Have you struggled with ANTS? What can you do to develop your internal anteater?
· Is there someone in your life who is displaying brain health symptoms? What can you do to help them?
· Are you displaying brain health symptoms? What step can you take this week towards brain health?
If you have questions or concerns, please let us know today. Our Care Request Card is an easy way for you to tell us how we can serve you. Just click here or copy and paste the following link: https://tc521.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/743/responses/new
