Understanding Neural Circuit Disorders
Neural circuit disorders are conditions where the brain’s pain and symptom pathways become stuck in a feedback loop, perpetuating symptoms long after the original trigger has resolved. These conditions do not stem from structural damage or tissue injury but rather from a malfunction in the brain’s neural processing pathways. In other words, the brain becomes conditioned to generate pain or symptoms even when there is no actual threat to the body.
Some of the most common neural circuit disorders include:
– Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
– Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
– Fibromyalgia
– Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
– Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
– Headaches and Migraines
– Chronic Neck and Back Pain
These conditions can cause chronic pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, digestive issues, and more. While the symptoms vary greatly from person to person, they all share a common underlying mechanism: the brain has become hypersensitive and reactive, misinterpreting normal signals as threats.
Why It’s Important to Rule Out Structural Conditions
Before diagnosing a neural circuit disorder, it is essential to rule out structural or pathological conditions that could be causing symptoms. Structural conditions like tumors, autoimmune diseases, herniated discs with neurological involvement, or severe arthritis must be identified and treated appropriately.
Once structural issues are ruled out through comprehensive medical evaluations, including imaging and lab tests, healthcare providers can look for signs that indicate a neural circuit origin:
– Symptoms that develop without a clear physical cause or persist long after an injury has healed.
– Symptoms that change location, intensity, or pattern, or that vary with stress and emotional states.
– Symptoms that diminish during moments of relaxation, joy, or distraction.
– Symptoms that are triggered by anticipation or non-physical stimuli, like sounds, lights, or even thinking about symptoms.
These patterns suggest that the symptoms are not driven by tissue damage but by sensitized neural circuits.
The Role of Repressed Emotions in Neural Circuit Disorders
One of the most significant factors contributing to neural circuit disorders is the presence of “repressed emotions”. Emotions such as anger, guilt, sadness, fear, and even shame, when unacknowledged and suppressed, can create chronic tension and stress within the body. Over time, the subconscious mind buries these emotions to protect the conscious self from discomfort or overwhelm.
However, just because emotions are suppressed doesn’t mean they disappear. Repressed emotions continue to exert an influence from beneath the surface, creating a heightened state of alertness and tension within the nervous system. This state of chronic stress can activate the brain’s pain and symptom pathways, leading to persistent symptoms even when there is no external threat or physical injury.
Research into fibromyalgia and ME/CFS has demonstrated that chronic sympathetic nervous system activation — often fueled by unresolved emotional stress — can lead to **neuroinflammation** and altered pain processing in the brain. This phenomenon, known as “nociplastic pain”, arises when the central nervous system amplifies sensory signals, resulting in pain that persists despite the absence of tissue damage.
Similarly, studies have shown that emotions like unexpressed grief, guilt, and anger can manifest physically as chronic pain or other symptoms. The brain’s attempt to protect us from these difficult feelings inadvertently causes prolonged activation of pain pathways and keeps the body in a state of fight-or-flight.
How to Break the Cycle of Repressed Emotions and Pain
One of the most effective approaches to addressing neural circuit pain and symptoms is Pain and Symptom Reprocessing Therapy (PSRT). Unlike traditional talk therapy, PSRT works by directly addressing the brain’s conditioned responses and retraining the neural circuits to recognize that they are safe. Through PSRT, individuals learn to identify and process repressed emotions, freeing their nervous system from the cycle of chronic pain and symptom generation.
At Mind Body Hypnosis, LynDel and I specialize in guiding clients through PSRT to address the brain-based origins of their symptoms. We help people uncover and release repressed emotions in a safe and supportive environment, retraining the brain to reduce and ultimately eliminate symptoms.
If you or someone you know is struggling with unexplained symptoms that persist despite medical treatment, reach out to us at Mind Body Hypnosis. We are here to support you on your recovery journey and help you reclaim your life from chronic pain and symptoms.
For more information or to get started, visit our website or contact us directly. LynDel and I are happy to help you take the next steps toward healing.
