The impulsive and compulsive brain

Family Therapist Haley Figueroa, MA, LMFT, explains the four different brain types that a child may have and the characteristics that are associated with each
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The impulsive and compulsive brain

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What are the different brain types that children might have? There's an impulsive brain type; which is related to the prefrontal cortex of the brain, and is often associated with low levels of dopamine in the brain. This brain type is also associated with attention difficulties. There is also the compulsive brain type. The compulsive brain type is associated with the anterior cingulate gyrus of the brain. This area of the brain can cause a child to get really stuck on things and have difficulty transitioning. There is also an impulsive/compulsive brain type. So it's the two that I just mentioned, symptoms from both. This definitely changes the course of treatment, when we see both impulsive and compulsive brain types. That's just the type that if you were to treat just for the impulsivity or just the compulsivity, you can make the other issues worse. There is also an anxious brain type, which causes a child and parents, to worry excessively about the future and things like that. The last brain type I'm going to talk to you about is the sad brain type. This is often seen when there is mood disorders; feelings of sadness, getting stuck on negative thoughts. We see this both in children and adults.

Family Therapist Haley Figueroa, MA, LMFT, explains the four different brain types that a child may have and the characteristics that are associated with each

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Haley Figueroa, MA, LMFT

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist & Brain Health Educator

Haley provides patients at the world-renowned Amen Clinics with in-depth psycho-social assessments, brain health education, parenting courses and Marriage and Family Therapy counseling. She has more than a decade of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of environments including school and clinical settings. Haley also has specialized training in conflict resolution, lifestyle and weight management, relationship enhancements, and parenting. Creator of My Baby is Christian, a learning and spiritual development system for young children, Haley has taught several courses at the Amen Clinics, including a 12-week Anxiety and Depression group, Love and Logic parenting, and Amen Clinic’s Two-Day Brain Health Course. She also authors a parenting blog. Haley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies at California State University, Fullerton and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Pepperdine University. A wife and mother of three, she is passionate about helping individuals and families reach their goals, enhance their relationships and achieve optimal brain health!

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Transcription: 
What are the different brain types that children might have? There's an impulsive brain type; which is related to the prefrontal cortex of the brain, and is often associated with low levels of dopamine in the brain. This brain type is also associated with attention difficulties. There is also the compulsive brain type. The compulsive brain type is associated with the anterior cingulate gyrus of the brain. This area of the brain can cause a child to get really stuck on things and have difficulty transitioning. There is also an impulsive/compulsive brain type. So it's the two that I just mentioned, symptoms from both. This definitely changes the course of treatment, when we see both impulsive and compulsive brain types. That's just the type that if you were to treat just for the impulsivity or just the compulsivity, you can make the other issues worse. There is also an anxious brain type, which causes a child and parents, to worry excessively about the future and things like that. The last brain type I'm going to talk to you about is the sad brain type. This is often seen when there is mood disorders; feelings of sadness, getting stuck on negative thoughts. We see this both in children and adults.