CYBCYL Chapter 6 – Mastering Fear: Basal Ganglia Prescriptions

Based on the checklist in chapter five, it is possible to determine if you may have a problem with your basal ganglia. Again, they are responsible for your anxiety levels, smoothing motor movements, and integrating movement and feelings alike. Prescription 1: Kill the Fortune-Telling ANTs. Remember ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) from chapter 4? Well people who often have ANTs are usually more anxious, and many of these people may consider themselves pessimistic as well. There are many ways someone can overcome these thoughts. One way Amen suggests is to write down the thought that is causing you anxiety as well as the ANTs. Then try to “talk back” to the ANT and rid it from your mind. Often if you think something will go wrong, it will usually be the other way around.

Prescription 2: Use Guided Imagery. Here Amen says that you should find a quiet place to relax and be alone for about a half hour. Visualize yourself in your dream place, and try to picture it with all your senses. In essence, it’s like taking a mini vacation. Oh and be sure to breathe deeply and calmly. Prescription 3: Think about the “18/40/60” Rule. This rule states that, “When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you; when you’re 40, you don’t give a damn about what anybody thinks about you; when you’re 60, you realize nobody’s been thinking about you at all.” Here Amen emphasizes that one should not worry about what others think about him or her. Often, anxiety may be caused by those who always fret over their perception in other peoples’ eyes. He says that “behavior should be based on yourself, not someone else.” Many more prescriptions are discussed in this chapter.

I would agree with most of what Amen discusses in this chapter; these are very reasonable prescriptions that people with basal ganglionic problems should take. I would certainly emphasize the power of meditation above all else. This is another one of Amen’s prescriptions that I did not have enough space to cover in this chapter, but it’s a very noteworthy one. I currently meditate, and I can definitely certify that it has helped drastically reduce my stress levels and improve my concentration as an added bonus. I encourage many people (regardless if they have problems with their basal ganglia or not) to try this practice. Additionally, although Amen’s third prescription certainly does make sense, take it with a grain of salt. He does not imply that you should do whatever you want with no regard for consequences. Don’t be self-centered. Instead, don’t make “pleasing others” your main focus in life.