If you experience anxiety, panic attacks, depression, memory or cognitive issues, ADHD or poor focus and someone suggests you may be suffering from a broken brain are you intrigued and hopeful that something that is broken can now be fixed OR do you consider the term broken brain too negative and scary?
I received this feedback from someone in my community when I shared my recent Broken Brain interview with Dr. Mark Hyman:
I’m looking forward to seeing the [Broken Brain] documentaries however I dislike the title. Everything that you say and think is affecting your brain. For me Broken is not a word with healing potencies but suggests that is something very bad happening in the brain. And maybe that is the case, but how we interpret our symptoms is very crucial for healing. In my opinion it could be Healing the Brain or something like that. I think is very important that the title implies positivity not fear!
I shared this feedback with her: “Thanks for sharing – you’re the 4th person in a day to say this. Prior to your feedback and hearing from 3 mental health colleagues earlier today I had not considered the name would invoke negativity and fear. One of my mental health colleagues shared with me that “referring to people as ‘broken’ is really stigmatizing and inappropriate.”
My thinking is that just like a leg is broken, the brain can be broken and can just as easily be fixed when we address the root causes. I’ve also watched the series (during the test run late last year) and have seen the wisdom, caring and compassion of the experts and Dr. Hyman, as well as the solutions and message of hope. I suspect that has swayed my opinion too. But I do see your point on being positive and solution-oriented without the fear aspect.”
What do you think?
It’s important that I serve my community well – and that’s you! If something concerns you I want to know so I can address it. I also want you to know that I’m offering solutions hope and not wanting to create fear and negativity, so I posed this question on Facebook (together with the above feedback from the blog):
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the title of Dr. Hyman’s new Broken Brain docu-series?
What do you think? Good title? Bad title? And why?
The positive feedback: enlightening, fixable, hopeful
The majority of responses were positive feedback. Here are many of them:
- Mary Anne McEvoy: I rather like the title. When I read the word “Broken” it brought my awareness to: “WOW – the brain can actually get ‘broken’!” I want to see the docu-series because of the word broken.
- Cathcart Louque: I don’t mind the title at all. I work in mental health (as a Care Manger for a non-profit mental health organization helping low income people) and see “broken brains” everyday which could be so much better by diet, exercise, meditation etc. I wish something would shake people up into wanting to have better brain health. Dementia and Alzheimer’s can be at work ten, twenty, thirty years before it manifests but people continue to make bad choices. I hope his videos will bring enlightenment to many and more will be proactive! Me included 😀! Daily healthy choices are not always the easiest but boy it’s so worth it.
- Susan McDuffie: This title may really speak to those who feel in dire straits. ‘Have tried everything, read everything, and still struggle.’ Sometimes it’s the darker words that actually resonate with people.
- Wyndie: I’m not afraid of the word broken – it’s true. Some things break. But broken things can be fixed. When I hear that title, I don’t hear negative, I hear reality.
- Holly Higgins, NTP: I love the title. It’s catchy, alliterative, and it’s the exact words that so many of my clients use to describe how they feel. I’ve heard this phrase over and over by people who feel like they’ve been harmed by psychiatry or have never felt like their brain was working right. We are all going to have different reactions. It’s clear from the content of the series and the character of the people involved that this was not meant to be offensive.
- Marthe: I actually liked the title. I thought it was powerful and, to me, it inferred that brain issues are becoming common occurrences and that there are ways to heal.
- Leslie Montano: It’s just a title. I like the alliteration. It’s catchy, easy to remember, and certainly effective in that way for marketing. It not stigmatizing, it is not directly calling any person broken, it is speaking about a part of the body generally. Things that are broken can be repaired. There is hope. And personally, 2 years ago before I fixed my diet and lifestyle, I felt broken. Broken brain explains EXACTLY what was going on and how I was feeling.
- Sharleen McDowall: As a psychologist, I like the title. I see the title the same way you do – just like a broken leg. I think the title conveys a strong message and it is needed to spark the conversation about how we are treating our brains. Also, Dr. Hyman’s message focuses on how the broken brain can be healed which is very positive.
- Lee Ann Foster: First of all, it’s a good, empowering series giving people a lot of useful and hope-inspiring information to care for their brain related issues. Secondly, as a 30-year old functional neuropsychology practice, Neurosource, in which we get to root issues and help re-regulate brain function through evidence based technologies and lifestyle interventions, we find that many people are relieved when we show them through 3-D neuroimaging how their brain is dysregulated – or one could say broken. We find people feel hopeful when they see their issues are physiological in nature (and can be helped), versus giving them stigmatized and often inaccurate or unhelpful mental health diagnostic labels that mean very little aside from labeling for insurance and pharmaceutical purposes. Just my two cents.
- Pierce: For me the first step in healing is acknowledging that I’m broken at the moment. Then I focus on moving forward and healing for the long term.
- Deena Louise: My son has tuberous sclerosis that has left him severely disabled with autism, MR and uncontrolled epilepsy….when my daughter, who is younger than him by 6 years, was able to understand that he was “different” than neurotypical people, she asked what was wrong with him….why didn’t he talk. She didn’t understand autism, so we just told her he had a broken brain. Some things can be fixed and some things can’t. She understood it when we said it that way. I think the title is fine…broken is just a word used to describe something that isn’t working right at the moment. Dealing with anxiety, menopause, insomnia and panic…my brain definitely feels broken! I can’t wait to watch the series, I don’t care what he calls it. I am grateful for all of these lovely functional medicine docs and scientists giving of their time and expertise to help so many.
The less than positive feedback: worthless, negative, insensitive
Three mental health professionals felt the term broken brain was stigmatizing but other than this, surprisingly few people had negative feedback. A few people resonated with words like repair or mend instead of broken, saying most people think of broken as worthless and negative, and can’t be fixed. One mom felt it was insensitive to the real struggles of depression and anxiety. Here are a few specific comments:
- Donna: Broken brains aren’t as easily fixable as broken legs. Broken brain means Alzheimer’s or stroke or something equally scary to me. I think another word could have been used to get the point across…. whatever a broken but fixable brain is…
- Missy Ruth: Our brains are not broken. They regenerate and grow and change and are incredible. However, they certainly can feel like they are not operating like we wish they would. Labeling the brain as “broken” is an example of inflammatory linguistics, and as human beings we create fear by using terms that exaggerate. We scare ourselves. Nobody’s brain is broken.
If you don’t like the term broken brain, I’m hoping you will get some inspiration and feel some level of comfort from the positive comments above and watch it anyway. You will see there are solutions, compassion and hope!
Also, many of my clients who use words like “negative, worthless, scary and fear”, do feel better when we look into low serotonin and address low levels with tryptophan or 5-HTP. Also, addressing gluten issues, poor gut health, low GABA, low zinc and so on – everything body-related that can affect the mind and brain. All of this is covered in the docuseries, other then the use of targeted amino acids, which I cover extensively in my book The Antianxiety Food Solution, in my newsletters and elsewhere on this blog.
An apology: integrity, compassion and hope
I really want to hear your thoughts but also want to offer Dr. Hyman’s apology if you are offended by the term broken brain. As soon as his team started getting feedback they issued this statement on his behalf:
Thank you for your comment. We completely understand what you are saying and we agree. So much of this docuseries is about Dr. Hyman’s personal health crisis and how he treated his own brain disorder. During this time Dr. Hyman felt like he had a broken brain. This is why we decided to call the title Broken Brain because the foundation of the series is about his personal journey. However, we do not think that everyone who is dealing with a brain disorder or a developmental disorder has a broken brain. We know that all individuals, including those with brain conditions, are fully complete people, each with their unique spirit. We hope that you’ll watch the series and understand that more than anything it’s about hope and about moving toward our best health!
I find this very thoughtful and it clearly reflects the level of his integrity and compassion.
In case you’re just hearing about the Broken Brain for the first time, you can watch my highlights video interview with Dr. Hyman (together with the transcript).
So, what do YOU think? Is broken brain a good title or term? Or a bad title or term? And why?
(With appreciation if you already provided feedback and for giving me permission to share it here. This is a good discussion to have!)
While the phrase Broken Brain is catchy, I do not care for it because it sounds like all he is going to do is identify what is broken with certain people’s brains. He needs a title that also conveys that this is fixable. For those of us who have real brain issues, we need solutions, not more problem identification. Perhaps he would like to amend his title to The Broken Brain Solution. Now that’s something everyone can appreciate.
Sally
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m with you and I also do like the word solution. As you know it’s part of the title of my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” 🙂
But I assure you, this docuseries offers plenty of solutions.
I’m actually not going to tune-in because of the title. The title reflects a negative emotion I’d prefer not to be a part of. The last thing I want to think of while struggling with chronic illness for so many years is that my brain is broken, picturing shattered glass of a brain that will be, glued? That title is a bit out-of-touch and a quite pretentious assertion by practitioners who present solutions that are helpful, yet sadly and honestly wont work for everyone. And that one person, has a broken brain- enough to make it a bad title. I think the summit creators need to take a step back from their jazzy and seemingly clever title and remember how they started.
John
I do hope we can change your mind so you can hopefully find some of your root causes and a solution. Nothing works for everyone but this online event shares a wealth of information on brain health and if you just learn one new thing it’ll be worth it!
If you can’t be convinced to watch here are 60+ root causes of anxiety you may find helpful list https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/60-nutritional-biochemical-causes-of-anxiety/ and there’ll be plenty more online events.
As I mention in the article, I always consider low serotonin as a possibility when I hear the word negative.
The title “Broken Brain” does not offend me at all. When I went through an extremely serious health crisis I felt as if my brain was broken! It was quite traumatic. Traditional medical practice with its one size fits all treatment with psychotropic drugs made my health worse. I felt more broken. However with years of improved lifestyle changes such as better nutrition and supplementation, my brain no longer feels broken. It has healed just as a broken leg might heal. Wouldn’t we be wise to remain open minded and give Dr. Hyman the opportunity to give us more insights into ways to heal brokenness of the cells and chemistry in our brain.
Val
So glad to hear you have healed and like the term. And thanks for offering encouragement to those who are still on their healing journey. Enjoy the event!
Hear, Hear, Val! xoxox
Hello trudy,
I understand the negative feedback but I got caught by the title straight away I immediately thought of “broken heart”…..
Personally, I felt there was empathy in there , a way of saying “you’re not feeling right but there is actually something that needs to be fixed in your brain, you are not consciously responsible for the disorder… And for people like myself who have never really felt right (anxiety, panic attacks, extreme sensitivity to everything, overactive (in a useless way……) mind leading to sleep disorder etc. and who, on top of all that, have been ridden with guilt because of misunderstanding and lack of empathy from cared ones and docs, there is relief and hope in these words !
You think you will never recover from a broken heart but….You can!!!
Thanks Trudy for great info. discovered GABA thanks to you and I think it saved me!!!!!!
Best healthylly happy new year to all xx Frederique
Freddy
I’m sorry to hear what you’re going through but really glad to hear you hear the empathy and feel hope! And I just love the broken heart comparison! Enjoy the event!
Great to hear GABA saved you! Would love to hear how it saved you and how much helps? and if you’re swallowing it or using it sublingually?
The title prevented me from sharing this information with a loved one.
Hi Linda,
I am sorry to hear that. I am convinced that the presenters that will be available to us will be able to inform us of ways to help ourselves heal from the serious brain health issues which we, as a nation, are experiencing. Dr. Mark Hyman is such a caring person and I can’t begin to imagine that he meant the title to sound hopeless or negative. Could you and your friend maybe push past the title and listen with an open mind in case some information will prove valuable to you? The lineup of speakers is amazing. I am really looking forward to this learning experience.
Val
Hi Linda
This makes me sad because of the invaluable content. One mom didn’t want to share with her son for this reason. Working with moms one on one I’ve seen similar dilemmas – they desperately want to help an anxious child and yet have to tread carefully so their child doesn’t feel broken. In the end they all make the decision that helping a loved one is more important.
I hope you can draw some comfort from the above, Dr. Hyman’s apology and the very positive statements others have shared – and broken can be fixed. And if you do decide to share this with your loved one after all, be sure to voice your concerns to them as I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. And who knows, perhaps the title won’t bother them.
If you decide not to share that’s fine too. here are some other resources:
– My blog and book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” (on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2kptFWm – affiliate link) are a wealth of information, I continue to share other online events and resources
– Dr. Hyman’s book “The UltraMind Solution” is excellent (on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2DvDZCz – affiliate link). The Broken Brain docuseries is based on this book – he wanted to do the docuseries because of all the new research in the 10 years since it was published. I’ve just noticed that broken brain is in the subtitle of the book too so that may not work.
– Dr. Kelly Brogan’s book “A Mind of your Own” (on Amazon here http://amzn.to/2D0MLaE – affiliate link) and a number of blogs on my site. Here is one of them: Medication tapering and withdrawal: an interview with Dr. Kelly Brogan https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/medication-tapering-withdrawal-kelly-brogan/
I entered a health crisis and I felt as though everything had BROKEN…especially my brain. The anxiety and terror was unbearable. The word “broken” was perfect. It felt urgent and dramatic. However, in my darkest hour, I was told by a wise person that “the body has tremendous power to heal”. This statement that saved my life and took me down a more gentle path of medicine and healing. Without hope and understanding that there many avenues to healing, I believe “Broken Brain” would felt very scary, triggered more anxiety, and pushed me away. It is a tricky one. Perhaps a subtitle to offer hope like “The Broken Brain…and it’s Power to Heal”.
Piney
I’m so pleased to hear that wise person said “the body has tremendous power to heal”. It’s so true! I love your suggested subtitle because yes when you’re in the midst of a health crisis hearing the word heal and the offer of hope is important.
I wonder if the title ‘Broken Brain’ (without the subtitle) may be a bigger issue for people who are not familiar with Dr. Hyman’s work and functional medicine. For those of use who are familiar, we know there is hope and healing simply for that reason.
So much hope! But unfortunately not offered by standard medicine as we know it. Thank you Trudy…To the Mountain!
Dear Trudy,
Love your information and the kindly, simple way you try to explain to many of us who are in brain fog. My naturopath just told me that ” my body has antibodies to the GDA enzyme which inhibits your body from making GABA (anti-anxiety neurotransmitter).” I don’t see him for a couple of weeks and he is trying to find me homeopathic remedies for my anxiety, but it is awful and causing me depression, too. Plus, this is so hard on my family. SO, how do I get rid of these antibodies, or circumvent them or do whatever I have to do to get my anti anxiety neurotransmitter working again? Please help me or at least answer me in the mean time that you are looking into it. I am in a very difficult state right now and just barely “hanging in there”.
PS I could not connect with your email at everywomanover29.com the email provided was unrecognizable
I absolutely hate the term broken being applied to me. I came across this thread because my psychologist often refers to me as broken and it makes me have a visceral reaction. It makes me feel defective, dejected and upset. It also lessens my trust because it feels like a judgement. I told her I didn’t like it and then felt anxious that I was being overly sensitive/difficult. But for me, it is just as pointed out by those here who are troubled by it: it is negative, stigmatising and not very hopeful. I think given so many people do have this reaction, why not avoid the term? There are plenty of alternatives and while some people are unfazed or interested n the concept, why not avoid hurting those who do feel stigmatised and judged by it.
LH
Thank you for sharing how you feel. It’s important that we are each heard. I do hope you feel a bit better after watching my highlights video interview with Dr. Hyman (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/broken-brain-highlights-trudy-scott-interviews-dr-mark-hyman/). You’ll hear positivity, empathy, concern and solutions – and plenty of hope.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/
It’s a comprehensive approach – amino acids AND diet.
I also encourage you to join my newsletter as I share new information all the time and speak on many summits. Both are great learning opportunities.