H-FAST?

[GenghisKhan44]

Coles is right; self-examining and coping skills do need to be taught to people when they're capable of learning them.

He is, but a lot of the groundwork for behavioural re-programming is shared with neuroscience.

Certainly. Again, I am thankful for my 50mg capsules of Vyvanse and expect them to help me greatly. I think making progress without them would be impossible.
But in the end neuroscience cannot teach you better habits directly. It's not supposed to, any more than good grammar is supposed to make you a compelling novelist. It only makes it much, much easier - sometimes possible.

The first 5 years of life set the foundations for a lot of things

During the first 5 years your brain is much more receptive to learning new things and taking in information, which is why you can find 3 year olds who speak several languages
If your first 5 years are traumatic or unfulfilled you can see all kinds of weird things popping up later in life

It's not always the case, but not many people can argue that the early years are not very important for shaping who you are or how you respond, and that the things learned during that time can be very hard to change later on

Or the things not learned. If any of you have ever heard of stories about "feral children"...

I can believe some arguments that genetics can play a part in brain chemistry. Homosexuality, for instance, remains largely unexplained as yet. But I don't think anyone can argue that culture, especially family culture, is not formative. If they can, I can provide some excellent counter-examples.

[ven]

That's interesting. I've always held the belief that the human mind is a clear template ready to receive programming from several sources at birth.

Technically yes, but in practice some people are already born with disfunctional parts of their brains so they don't have a blank slate to begin with (for example, due to their parents' use of alcohol or medication, or presence of another disease).
And since the brain only completes its development around 22-28 years, it's also possible to prevent its later stages (which influence self-control and social adequacy) from developing correctly by after-birth medication, drug use, and poor learning (for example, a baby who grows up not using all its senses).
There have been cases of personality changes after damage in certain areas of the brain. There are also studies showing how serotonin affects one's empathy level, so a brain disorder that inhibits serotonin production would most likely make you an asshole. The saddest part of neuropsychology is that, in the end, psychopaths may not even be to blame for what they do, even if they must be arrested and shot. Or elected. I don't know what your countries do with them.

[jordancoles]

But in the end neuroscience cannot teach you better habits directly. It's not supposed to, any more than good grammar is supposed to make you a compelling novelist. It only makes it much, much easier - sometimes possible.

When I was in my mental health & addictions program we were taught that you need to cover the essentials before any treatment can begin. Examples of these essentials being food, shelter, mental stability, etc. You cannot counsel a person in crisis, so you may need to refer them to a medical professional to get them on some medication first (depending on the case and if they're in a constant state of crisis or not). I think that medication is definitely needed at times, but counseling needs to go along with that because otherwise you're just sedating yourself with no real positive change to back it up. The idea is not to be on medication forever, and the end goal should always be to obtain the skills needed to live without medication in the end (not always possible, but it's the main objective aside from keeping the client safe)

[Jalpha]

But in the end neuroscience cannot teach you better habits directly. It's not supposed to, any more than good grammar is supposed to make you a compelling novelist. It only makes it much, much easier - sometimes possible.

Neuroscience is not only medication. A lot of studies done in neuroscience involve repetition of certain behaviours in an attempt to reinforce certain neural pathways over others. Or to discover which pathways have what effect. This ties into psychology with things like avoiding negative self talk.

Or elected.

[jordancoles]

in the end, psychopaths may not even be to blame for what they do, even if they must be arrested and shot. Or elected. I don't know what your countries do with them.

kek

[Jalpha]

I think whilst our possession of free-will is arguable nobody can argue that we don't possess self control, or that it is something we can't be taught. If anything it's societies failure for alienating such people and making it so extremely difficult for them to adapt. A leopard can change its spots.

[GenghisKhan44]

Neuroscience is not only medication. A lot of studies done in neuroscience involve repetition of certain behaviours in an attempt to reinforce certain neural pathways over others. Or to discover which pathways have what effect. This ties into psychology with things like avoiding negative self talk.

I am aware; neuroscience is knowledge of the brain. I didn't think about behaviour as such changing the brain. But that does make sense, considering what I've learned about addictive habits and brain chemsitry - such as why masturbation can become an addiction.

But in the end neuroscience cannot teach you better habits directly. It's not supposed to, any more than good grammar is supposed to make you a compelling novelist. It only makes it much, much easier - sometimes possible.

When I was in my mental health & addictions program we were taught that you need to cover the essentials before any treatment can begin. Examples of these essentials being food, shelter, mental stability, etc. You cannot counsel a person in crisis, so you may need to refer them to a medical professional to get them on some medication first. I think that medication is definitely needed at times, but counseling needs to go along with that because otherwise you're just sedating yourself with no real positive change to back it up. The idea is not to be on medication forever, the end goal should always be to obtain the skills needed to live without medication in the end (not always possible, but it's the main objective aside from keeping the client safe)

Were you also taught Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

That's my thinking, too. I don't intend to be on medication for the rest of my life. I certainly don't want to be if I can learn free techniques and live using them instead.

But, this is America. Taking a pill when a change of lifestyle would be much less expensive and better for you is wholly in vogue here.

[GenghisKhan44]

I think whilst our possession of free-will is arguable nobody can argue that we don't possess self control, or that it is something we can't be taught

Free will is a part of self-control - or rather will.

[jordancoles]

>ADHD

I certainly don't want to be if I can learn free techniques and live using them [drugs] instead.

Avoid smoking at all costs if at all possible

Also, some of the tactics for quitting smoking can also help with ADHD (gum chewing, for one)

[Ysh]

That's my thinking, too. I don't intend to be on medication for the rest of my life. I certainly don't want to be if I can learn free techniques and live using them instead.

But, this is America. Taking a pill when a change of lifestyle would be much less expensive and better for you is wholly in vogue here.

I also cannot be understanding how someone can prefer to be taking some medication forever instead of trying to learn to success with their own powers or making a lifestyle change. Assuming these things will be options, of course. I think you make the wise choice and hope you can succeed.