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Title: Adolescents really do suffer a brain dysfunction, for a while
Source:
Independent Online
URL Source: http://news.independent.co.uk/world ... e_technology/article311278.ece
Published: Sep 10, 2005
Author: Steve Connor
Post Date: 2005-09-10 10:10:32 by CAPPSMADNESS
Keywords: dysfunction,, Adolescents, really
Views: 60
Comments: 13
The inability to penetrate the minds of stroppy, angst-ridden teenagers is an accepted part of parenthood. Now it appears the feeling is mutual. Scientists believe a regression in the brain at puberty could explain why Harry Enfield's character Kevin finds life so unfair. Young teenagers begin to lose the ability to discern emotions in adults' faces, causing them to behave temporarily like younger children. Professor David Skuse, of the Institute of Child Health in London, told the British Association for the Advancement of Science that hormonal surges at puberty may cause a rewiring of the brain of adolescents which interferes with their ability to interact socially with their elders. "There is a temporary deterioration in children's capacity accurately to interpret emotions from facial expressions around the time of puberty," he said. "This may go some way to explaining the 'Kevin' phenomenon described so perceptively by Harry Enfield." Six hundred children between six and 17 were studied to see how good they were at recognising facial expressions. There was a gradual improvement with age, interrupted only at puberty when both sexes began to regress. They recovered later. Sadness and anger expressed in a face were emotions pubes-cent children seem to have great difficulty understanding. "For parents trying to manage their unruly adolescents - and this is as true for boys as it is for girls - one wonders whether they are understanding anything you are saying to them," Professor Skuse told the Festival, in Dublin. "It appears this is a function of the development of their brain at that time. It's not a cultural phenomenon, it's a real biologically based phenomenon from which fortunately they recover. "There is that age of about 12, 13 or 14 when they seem completely oblivious to nuances of facial expressions but these same brain circuits are processing tone of voice. At six, there is a substantial difference between boys and girls. At school entry, 70 per cent of boys are worse than 50 per cent of girls." Teachers trying to control unruly boys using subtle expressions, such as raised eyebrows, or a tone of voice may fail because boys are unable to read such signs, Professor Skuse said. "We're talking about a fairly substantial proportion of boys. One in five boys is worse than [most] girls."
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#1. To: All (#0)
As the mother of two teenagers, I already knew this....
The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up
It's nice to have our suspicions confirmed though ;)
"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny." – Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Indeed!
The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up
There was a gradual improvement with age, interrupted only at puberty when both sexes began to regress. They recovered later. NO wonder these brain dead teachers put so many of them on ritalin. nd the worse insult is when they get older they are put on more damaging psychotropic drugs. One of the shooters at Columbine High School was on Luvox, and another school shooter was on Ritalin and Prozac. Thia is from an article from 1999 so further investigation will prove this out with more recent events. http://www.breggin.com/luvox.html "According to the manufacturer, Solvay, 4% of children and youth taking Luvox developed mania during short-term controlled clinical trials. Mania is a psychosis which can produce bizarre, grandiose, highly elaborated destructive plans, including mass murder. Interestingly, in a recent controlled clinical trial, Prozac produced mania in the same age group at a rate of 6%. These are very high rates for drug-induced mania--much higher than those produced in adults. Yet the risk will be even higher during long-term clinical use where medical supervision, as in the case of Harris, is much more lax than in controlled clinical trials. These drugs also produce irritability, aggression or hostility, alienation, agitation, and loss of empathy."
"But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of." Lord Byron
The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up
These drugs are really destructive, and aimed largely at boys. Dietary changes and more exercise are often all that is needed. Why do schools think 35 children should sit all day in a classroom with one adult to supervise? It isn't normal to sit almost the whole day. With the growth of television and now video games, it's just more sitting. Exercise brings a sense of well-being and the human body requires it to be healthy. Also, who feels safe to send their children to the park alone? And how can they go when both parents must work just to provide the basics?
"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny." – Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Children surrounded by a static environment do not get the proper feedback, do not develop good social skills and are inundated by fast paced imaging contributing to ADD and ADHD. Not to mention all the excito toxins (MSG/Aspartame) and poisons (fluoride) infesting our food and water supply damaging their brains.
Are we but an organic computer influenced by our environment to desire one set of neuropeptides over another, equating into competition for self worth on a primitive level never realized by the shallow and self empowering.
Yes, I have read that the fast moving images are also bad for children. This week I read about Mexico banning aspartame. MSG was proven to cause headaches, earning the nickname "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome", because they once used MSG in everything.
"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny." – Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Do you have any linkage handy on Mexico banning the cause of rumsfeld's disease? Thanks.
Sorry, my own brain dysfunction, make that New Mexico. New Mexico Takes Lead In Banning Aspartame Thanks for asking, I really did read it wrong!
"A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny." – Alexander Solzhenitsyn
More psychobabble BS from the 'civilized world's' witch doctor racketeers.
Kerpow! You are exactly right! I've seen substantial changes in kids by getting them off sugar, grains (gluten intolerance), increasing the omega acids, and getting some exercise. As for psychoactive drugs, almost the school shooters were on them.
Even William Shatner's?
#2. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#1)
As the mother of two teenagers, I already knew this....
#3. To: robin (#2)
#4. To: CAPPSMADNESS, robin (#0)
At six, there is a substantial difference between boys and girls. At school entry, 70 per cent of boys are worse than 50 per cent of girls."
#5. To: BTP Holdings (#4)
interesting pov!
#6. To: BTP Holdings, Red Jones, CAPPSMADNESS (#4)
#7. To: robin (#6)
With the growth of television and now video games, it's just more sitting. Exercise brings a sense of well-being and the human body requires it to be healthy.
#8. To: timetobuildaboat (#7)
Children surrounded by a static environment do not get the proper feedback, do not develop good social skills and are inundated by fast paced imaging contributing to ADD and ADHD. Not to mention all the excito toxins (MSG/Aspartame) and poisons (fluoride) infesting our food and water supply damaging their brains.
#9. To: robin (#8)
#10. To: lodwick, All (#9)
#11. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#0)
#12. To: robin (#6)
. Dietary changes and more exercise are often all that is needed.
#13. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#0)
Young teenagers begin to lose the ability to discern emotions in adults' faces
I've already said too much.
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