This is a chapter title in the book Mindsight by Daniel Siegel, M.D. In explaining the idea of balancing the left and right sides of the brain, Dr. Siegel gives the example of one of his clients – 92-year-old Stuart. The environment Stuart grew up in had a great effect on which side of the brain he functioned from. Page 106, the second paragraph says, “In those with a cold, emotionally empty childhood, one side of the brain often seems to be understimulated while the other becomes excessively dominant. Stuart’s style of narrating facts without autobiographical detail and….strongly suggested that he had a dominant left brain and an underdeveloped right brain.”
Herein lies one of the reasons why someone is given more towards emotion and another can be predominantly driven by thinking and logic. Dr. Siegel speaks of the nonverbal communication that stems from the right brain that helps in our development as babies. When this is absent or limited in an infant’s life it affects the way they grow up and interact in relationships, as in the case of Stuart.
The engagement of the right and left sides of the brain is needed to cope effectively with stress and enjoy satisfying relationships. If one side of the brain is underdeveloped the great news is that it can be nurtured and thrive through therapy!
Read more of Stuart’s heartwarming story in the book Mindsight to learn how Dr. Siegel helped him grow and embrace his emotions!
