Description Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc In situations that

Presents

Upshift, Downshift, About Shift

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

Brain Phenomenon

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

Metaphoric Term

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 3rd to 2nd or 1st)

Description 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

Brain Layers or Gears 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 . . .

Reptilian Layer – 1st Gear Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Brain stem, Cerebellum (subconscious)

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Processes the present only Perceives positives easily

Houses stress responses (fight-flight, tend-befriend, conserve-withdraw) and dominates when threat is perceived Provides awareness of your outer sensory environment

Reptilian 1st Gear, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD

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Is egocentric and loosely resembles the “id”— I am here and it’s all about me! Doesn’t use language but perceives the internal mental pictures language creates Houses the Reticular Activating System that influences the EAI continuum

Usually the last portion of the brain to die

Mammalian Layer – 2nd Gear Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Limbic System Structures (subconscious)

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Perceives present and past Perceives positives easily

Processes information 80,000 times faster than the thinking brain layer Transfers information from short to long term memory; assembles associations for memory recall (search engine)

Mammalian 2nd Gear, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD

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Realizations Inc

Loosely resembles the “ego” — I am here … but so are you

 Processes the sense of smell  Directs immune system function  Generates emotional impulses  Provides the foundation for relationships with its tools of emotion

Neo-Cortex Layer – 3rd Gear Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Cerebrum (eight lobes and consciousness)

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Registers awareness of present, past, and future Perceives positives and negatives Decodes all sensory data except for smell

Limitless potential for processing concepts Uses all forms of language with complex analysis

Neo-Cortex 3rd Gear, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD

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

“Give Up” to “Get”

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

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Realizations Inc

Fail to recall (e.g., people tend to recall less than 15% of what was told to them during a crisis) Decrease in cognitive learning Develop or activate phobias Accelerate the aging process

Alter immune system

Consequences, Cont’d Arlene R. Taylor PhD

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Experience a reduced ability to take cues into consideration Less able to engage in complex mental tasks (e.g., decreased creativity) Fail to see interconnectedness or generate solutions for problems

Reactivate old learned beliefs and patterns of behaviors or relapse into addictive behaviors regardless of available information

Consequences To Learning 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

Valid Fear

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Alerts you to potential/real danger

 Identify the worst thing that could happen  Evaluate possibility versus probability  Can you do anything about the situation?  If yes, take appropriate action  If no, practice the Serenity Prayer …

Imagined Fear

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Usually involves negative thinking

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Sabotages problem-solving Is unlikely to improve the odds Typically represents learned behavior

To change the way you feel, you must change the way you think!

#1 Upshifting

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Identify behaviors you’ve exhibited when situations did not go well and when you were likely downshifted

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sighing, defending, stonewalling, arguing, crying, yelling, avoiding, pouting, whining, overreacting, overcomplying, fighting, isolating, overconforming, withdrawing (often related to fear—real or imagined)…

#2 Upshifting

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… Illness, fatigue, over-work… What someone said to or about you… Perceived negative experience…

#3 Upshifting

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Identify patterns of behavior related to your downshifting

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When and/or where?

Appropriate to the situation or not? Become a “victim” or an “offender?” Length of time downshifted?

What tends to upshift you?

Your Strategies

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

Upshift using a pre-planned strategy

 Think of something humorous and choose to laugh

 Engage in positive self-talk  Identify something to appreciate (it is physiologically impossible to be fearful and appreciative at the same time)

 Exercise (especially cross-lateral)

Strategies, Cont’d

Arlene R. Taylor PhD

Realizations Inc

 Visualize yourself in a safe place  Contract with yourself to “deal with it later in the day”

 Engage in a task over which you have some control

 Sing, meditate, pray, recite a mantra  Access your support system

Caveats

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