Many common struggles are caused by a fixable brain issue

by Thayer Robins

Alzheimer’s, stroke, concussion, autism — as most everyone knows, events or illnesses like these can damage the brain in ways that affect every aspect of who we are — from memory and mental acuity, to motor coordination, and even emotional well-being.

What we are now beginning to realize is that lesser forms of brain failure can cause their own kinds of trouble with everyday brain function. Because there is no clear cause, it’s easy to miss the likelihood that the symptoms are coming from a brain in trouble. Yet the struggle and suffering is very real, with consequences ranging from mild annoyance to profound, soul-crushing debilitation.

Here are just a few of the many commonly missed signs of a struggling brain:

• tiring easily from mental activity
• needing longer than others to perform the same task
• inability to hold more than one thought or idea at a time
• lack of motivation
• poor organization skills
• struggle to maintain focus and concentration
• struggle to keep emotions stable

The causes are as many and varied as the symptoms, but generally speaking, they fall into three categories: developmental gaps; damage due to illness or injury; or decline due to age and/or lack of use. Most of us get tangled up in at least one of these categories at some point in our lives; some of us are dealing with the effects of all three.

But when it comes down to it, what causes a functional brain issue rarely matters. Decades of studies and reams of anecdotal evidence have now proven without question that our brains are changeable and, in fact, will change throughout our lives — whether we want them to or not.

If you are facing any of the above symptoms, or struggling with something that involves your brain, there’s a good chance brain-strengthening activities or a brain-nourishing lifestyle can help, and perhaps even change your life in remarkable ways.

The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll see how a high-functioning brain can benefit not only you but those in your life who love and depend on you. Otherwise, if you do nothing, you may discover one day that your changeable brain has changed for the worse.

For past columns on the brain and links to free and low-cost tools, check out our online Resources. For future columns, which will discuss important brain functions and my suggestions for changing your brain, look for upcoming editions of The Laney Tower.

Thayer Robins is a staff writer at The Laney Tower.