Emotions and the Brain

Affective neuroscience is an area that is new yet very important for the discussion of parenting
children and teens. Parents struggle with helping children express and contain emotions.
Parents are not sure how to discipline in light of
new stereotypes of parenting. The amount of
scrutiny on parents and the past blame parents
psychology has left parents confused and very
unhelpful.
The purpose of this article is to help parents
navigate the confusing and controversial world of
parenting in the 21st Century. Rather than
examine dos and don’ts, this article seeks to help
parents understand the brain of their child and its
development so to better understand behaviour
and expressions of emotions.
Topics that will be addressed are aggression,
sadness, confusion, frustration, fear and
happiness.
As well, by understanding the development of the
brain, we can better understand how to support
identity development in terms of self-confidence,
self expression, and self love and love for others.
Before , we begin, let us review our anatomy
/biology classes and the role of the thalamus,
limbic system, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. The role of the thalamus is produces the emotions when it is activated by sensory receptors. The limbic system processes the experience of emotions. The prefrontal cortex perceives the
emotions and makes decisions to activate parts of the brain in response to the emotions. For
instance the emotions of fear will activate the amygdala. The hippocampus will store the fear
emotions.

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Is that Anger, Annoyance, Frustration or Fury?

We are taught that we should not be angry.  Especially in women because that is not becoming. But anger unfortunately is a common emotion we all feel.  It is an emotion that some say is dangerous, some same is not acceptable and even a sin.

However, it is very important to differentiate the difference between anger, frustration and fury. 

Anger is an emotion common to all and we are likely to experience this emotion on a daily basis.  For instance, we may experience feeling angry when someone pushes down the stairs as you rush up the stairs to work. The pushing gesture can be perceived   as rude, inconsiderate and even aggressive.  However, more often than not, we are able to let it go and carry on our day.  The anger dissipates as it is not worth engaging in. 

Frustration is also an every day emotion that we can feel on a daily basis.  For example, the coffee machine is not working properly, the coffee is coming out very watery and boy today is a day you need a strong coffee.  So, you try to fix it and it takes more than a few minutes which you anticipated.  Instead, you needed to dismantle the coffee machine and then you needed to put it back together.  After much aggravation, it is fixed and you get your nice hot strong cup of coffee.  Rather than feeling relieved, happy and calmer, you sit down and to begin work feeling frustrated and agitated .  In time, this feeling dissipates as you begin your work day.

Rage is an emotion that is not likely to be felt on a daily basis.  Instead, it is an emotion that we tend to feel very rarely.  In fact, we can say we know people who do not feel rage.  Why is that? Rage is the emotion of amplified anger and frustration.  When anger and frustration  does not dissipate and it continues to fuel, we will experience rage.  How is it that we let our emotions escalate to rage? That is likely because people are not taught to control and manage anger and move it to resolve.  Also, it is likely that they have learned to suppress and repress it rather than resolve it.  Sometimes, thez confused as to how to resolve instead of suppress or repress.  Resolving anger is to let it dissipate.  Sometimes, the hurt is there and it is learning to be comfortable with sadness, hurt and pain.  Accepting hurt and pain is a way of understanding a society, community or world that is full of pain and suffering.  Getting angry at injustice and harm enough to take healthy action like speak up and advocate is beneficial to society.  But getting angry to plot and spread false information is harmful to society, that leads to rage.  Rage comes from anger that is fueled to harm ourselves and / or others.

So what to do when we see someone rage and not let go of the anger? We need to see that we are experiencing emotions that are intense and acknowledge that  we are feeling anger, injustice, frustrations. We need to be honest with ourselves.  After acknowledgement , we can begin to experience feelings of relief… it is ok to feel this way, now what do I do with this emotion, engage in it or dismiss it.  If you decide to engage in it, is it a righteous anger if so how can you use this anger to benefit others and resolve?

Suggestions:

1.  Acknowledge emotion

2. Understand the internal conflict

3. What are the factors and different perspectives to this conflict?

4. How do I reconcile the internal conflict? How do I seek to resolve this by myself?

5. Does this resolution benefit others?