Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Neuroplastic Model of Secondary Contribution to Behavioral Health Disability: Theory and Implications

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Behavioral Health Disability Management

  • 430 Accesses

Abstract

Anecdotal and statistical information has long suggested that people who find themselves in the various systems for assisting or compensating injury or behavioral health concerns sometimes suffer from new or exacerbated symptoms while in the process of negotiating the system. Too often, the response of systems has to distrust or blame the person reporting the symptoms and attempt to control the behavior on the premise that it must represent either an attempt to take advantage of the system or an inherent characteristic of the complainant. This discussion suggests that another significant factor influences the observed phenomena: that the system itself creates some of the harm that is reported and observed. The chapter goes on to describe the influences impinging on the life of people with behavioral health disability in their day-to-day interactions and suggests that the repetition of these experiences – either literally or through self-talk as a mechanism for internal repetition. With sufficient repetition in temporal proximity to one another, those thoughts, emotions, memories, and physical sensations become linked through neuroplastic mechanisms in the brain. The resulting associated experiences form a “network” that has the property of triggering, without conscious decision, other components in the network when one is stimulated. This phenomenon is offered as an explanation of heretofore unexplained behavior of individuals in behavioral health systems.

The chapter goes on to discuss various clinical implications of the conceptual model and also discusses implications for the design of intervention systems that are less likely to create the kind of harm that is described.

The final discussion looks at the concept of “resilience” in this context and offers a new operational definition of the term and discusses interventions that can build practical individualized approaches to resilience that may have a beneficial impact on people who live with behavioral health disability

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbott, J., Klein, B., Hamilton, C., & Rosenthal, A. (2009). The impact of online resilience training for sales managers on wellbeing and work performance. Electronic Journal of Applied Psychology: General Articles, 5(1), 89–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anda, R., Whitfield, C., Felitti, V., Chapman, D., Edwards, V., Dube, S., et al. (2002). Adverse childhood experiences, alcoholic parents, and later risk of alcoholism and depression. Psychiatric Services, 53(8), 1001–1009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andreas, C., & Andreas, S. (1989). Heart of the mind. Boulder, CO: Real People Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aurbach, R. (2016). Recalibrating resilience. www.uncommonapproach.com/publications/RecalibratingResilience. (Also published through workcompcentral.com, https://www.workcompcentral.com/columns/show/id/b9b0011ccf70b88a11405ef0e7376ca4095ba4f8), both accessed on 29 Sept 2017

  • Beck, J. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickmore, T., Silliman, R. A., Paasche-Orlow, M. K., Nelson, K., Cheng, D. M., Winter, M., et al. (2013). A randomized controlled trial of an automated exercise coach for older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 61(10), 1676–1683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brigham, C. (2015). Living abled and healthy: Your guide to injury& illness recovery. Kailua, HI: Healthy Living Publishing LLC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brouziyne, M., & Molinaro, C. (2005). Mental imagery combined with physical practice of approach shots for golf beginners. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 101(1), 203–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullen, L., & Gardner, D. (2008). Resilience training in a restructuring organization. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 24(4), 309–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, A., Chapman, J., Forman, E., & Beck, A. (2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Clinical Psychology Review, 26(1), 17–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, D., & Moseley, L. (2003). Explain pain. Adelaide, SA: Noigroup Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, D., Aharoni, D., Shuman, T., Shobe, J., Biane, J., Song, W., et al. (2016). A shared neural ensemble links distinct contextual memories encoded close in time. Nature, 353, 115–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cleary, D. (2011). Targeting pain: A practitioner’s guide to relief. North Palm Beach, FL: Clearway Communications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clevertar Digital Coaches Website. (2017). http://www.clevertar.com/. Accessed 14 Sept 2017.

  • Corrigan, P. (2004). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American Psychologist, 59(7), 614–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corrigan, P., & Watson, A. (2002a). Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness. World Psychiatry, 1(1), 16–20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Corrigan, P., & Watson, A. (2002b). The paradox of self-stigma and mental illness. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 9(1), 35–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coupland, M. (2009). CBT for pain management. Journal of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, 46(2), 77–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramer, S., Sur, M., Dobkin, B. H., O’Brien, C., Sanger, T. D., Trojanowski, J. Q., et al. (2011). Harnessing neuroplasticity for clinical applications. Brain, 134, 1591–1609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doidge, N. (2007). The brain that changes itself. New York: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doidge, N. (2015). The brain’s remarkable way of healing: Remarkable discoveries and recoveries from the frontiers of neuroplasticity. New York: Penguin Group New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffau, H. (2006). Brain plasticity: From pathophysiological mechanisms to therapeutic applications. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 13(9), 885–897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellner, M., & Aurbach, R. (2009). Hypnosis in a disability setting. Journal of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, 46(2), 57–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Felitti, V., Anda, R., Nordenberg, D., Williamson, D., Spitz, A., Edwards, V., et al. (1998). Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults: The adverse childhood experiences (ACE) study. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flor, H., Elbert, T., Knecht, S., Weinbruch, C., Pantev, C., Birvaumers, N., et al. (1995). Phantom limb pain as a perceptual correlate of cortical reorganization following arm amputation. Nature, 375(6531), 482–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadler, N. (2008). Worried sick. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holzinger, A., & Matschinger, H. (2010). Emotional reactions to people with mental illness. Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale, 19(1), 26–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horan, C. (2016). Resilience training in the workplace: The role of trainee motivation, transfer climate and practice in prevention of psychological injuries, Australian National University, open access thesis. https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/117264. Accessed on 14 Sept 2017.

  • Isaac, A. (1992). Mental practice- does it work in the field? The Sport Psychologist, 6, 192–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman, D. (2012). Thinking fast and slow. London, UK: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanter, A. (1994). A home of one’s own: The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and housing discrimination against people with mental disabilities. American University Law Review, 43, 925–994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanter, A. (1998). Homeless but not helpless: Legal issues in the care of homeless people with mental illness. Journal of Social Issues, 45(3), 91–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. (1998). Brain plasticity and behaviour. Annual Review of Psychology, 49, 43–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larkin, H., Felitti, V., & Anda, R. (2014). Social work and adverse childhood experiences research: Implications for practice and health policy. Social Work in Public Health, 29(1), 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, K. A., & Hall, C. R. (1995). Using mental imagery to enhance intrinsic motivation. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 54–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56, 227–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meiklejohn, J., Phillips, C., Freedman, M. L., Griffin, M. L., Biegel, G., Roach, A., et al. (2012). Integrating mindfulness training into K-12 education: Fostering the resilience of teachers and students. Mindfulness, 3(4), 291–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merzenich, M. M., Tallal, P., Peterson, B., Miller, S., & Jenkins, W. M. (1998). Some neurological principles relevant to the origins of – And the cortical plasticity-based remediation of – Developmental language impairments. In J. Grafman & Y. Christen (Eds.), Neuronal plasticity: Building a bridge from the laboratory to the clinic (pp. 169–187). Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mindspot. (2017). https://mindspot.org.au/our-services. Accessed 15 Sept 2017.

  • National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. (2008). Technology appraisal 97 computerised cognitive behaviour therapy for depression and anxiety (review). London, UK: U.K. National Health Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • NHS England. (2017). https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/iapt/. Accessed 15 Sept 2017.

  • One In Five. (2017). https://oneinfive.com.au/. Accessed 15 Sept 2017.

  • Overman, J., & Carmichael, S. (2014). Plasticity in the injured brain: More than molecules matter. The Neuroscientist, 20(1), 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owiti, J., & Bowers, L. (2010). A literature review: Refusal of psychotropic medication in acute inpatient psychiatric care. London, UK: Institute of Psychiatry at the Maudsley, Section of Mental Health Nursing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patten, S. (2008). Sensitization: The sine qua non of depressive disorders? Medical Hypotheses, 71, 872–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raftery, M., Murphy, A., O’Shea, E., Newell, J., & McGuire, B. (2013). Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based rehabilitation programme (Progressive Goal Attainment Program) for patients who are work-disabled due to back pain: Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Trials, 14, 290. https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-290

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ramachandran, V. S., & Ramanchandran, D. (1996). Synaesthesia in phantom limbs induced with mirrors. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 263(1369), 377–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, I., Cooper, C., Sarkar, M., & Curran, T. (2015). Resilience training in the workplace from 2003 to 2014: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 88(3), 533–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusch, N., Angermeyer, M., & Corrigan, P. (2009). Mental illness stigma: Concepts, consequences, and initiatives to reduce stigma. European Psychiatry, 20(8), 529–539.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satcher, D. (1999). Mental health: A report of the surgeon general–executive summary. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31(1), 5–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (2nd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silva, A. (2017). Memory’s intricate web. Scientific American, 317, 30–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1948). “Superstition” in the Pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38, 168–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, M., Davidson, N., Garfinkel, B., Siriapaipant, N., & Scott, W. (2009). Perceived injustice is associated with heightened pain behavior and disability in individuals with whiplash injuries. Psychological Injury and Law, 2(3–4), 238–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, M. J. L., Yakobov, E., Scott, W., & Tait, R. (2014). Perceived injustice and adverse recovery outcomes. Psychological Injury and Law, 7, 325–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suniya, S., Luthar, E., Lyman, L., & Crossman, E. (2014). Resilience and positive psychology. In M. Lewis & K. D. Rudolph (Eds.), Handbook of developmental psychopathology (pp. 125–140). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Y., Hölzel, B., & Posner, M. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 19, 213–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorincraft, G. (2006). Shunned: Discrimination against people with mental illness. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinker, K. (2014). Psychological injury and the role of emotional resilience. Presentation to the Territory Insurance Organization Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uncommon Approach. (2016). www.uncommonapproach.com/resilience. Accessed on 29 Sept 2017.

  • Warner, L., & McNeill, E. (1988). Mental imagery and its potential for physical therapy. Physical Therapy, 68(4), 516–521.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warren, P. (2017). Private email correspondence with the editor in preparation of this chapter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wegscheider-Cruse, S. (1989). Another chance: Hope and health for the alcoholic family (2nd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Science and Behavior Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolff, K., Baglivio, M., & Piquero, R. (2015). The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and recidivism in a sample of juvenile offenders in community-based treatment. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(11), 1210–1242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2017). http://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13294&Itemid=42050. Accessed 15 Sept 2017

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Uncommon Approach, Inc., Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Robert M. Aurbach

Authors
  1. Robert M. Aurbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert M. Aurbach .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Carle Physician Group and University of Illinois Medical School, Monticello, Illinois, USA

    Pamela A. Warren

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Aurbach, R.M. (2018). A Neuroplastic Model of Secondary Contribution to Behavioral Health Disability: Theory and Implications. In: Warren, P. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral Health Disability Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89860-5_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation