Recently I wrote a posting One step on the long walk to freedom from the “amygdala hijack” in which I invited the reader to be curious about the thinking that sits behind the amygdala hijack – the moment in which you are triggered by a person, event or situation so that your emotions come with such speed and intensity that it seems as if they control you rather than you them.  I promised to write more about the actions we can take to transform the thinking behind the amygdala hijack and this is my intention for my next posting.  First though, what outcomes can we expect if we are able to transform our thinking and what benefits might they lead to?

What outcomes can we expect if we are able to transform the thinking that triggers such strong emotions?  In my view, these outcomes reflect the increasing levels of capability we demonstrate as we learn to transform our thinking:

• Transforming our thinking after the event may not be ideal – most people want to be free of the amygdala hijack – and still, it opens a pathway for letting go of the event itself as well as for learning in the longer term.  In short, it opens up options that are not open to us as long as we hold on to the thinking that fuels the hijack in the first place;
• Developing the skills to transform our thinking in the moment makes it more likely that we can interact with others in stressful moments in ways which work for both parties.  In other words, transforming our thinking in the moment makes it more likely that everyone’s needs can be honoured and met – including our own;
• Developing the skills to transform our thinking over time opens up a wide range of new possibilities.  Our commitment to transform our thinking and our practice of transforming our thinking over time makes it easier to transform our thinking in the moment and can also reduce the frequency and intensity of our amygdala hijacks.  In time, we can come to see the hijack as an ally – showing us where we still have some learning to do.

What are the benefits that follow on from these outcomes?  As I ask myself this question, I wonder just how long this list might be – and decide to highlight just three:

• Transforming our thinking leads to radically improved relationships – with ourselves and others.  This is true in the personal and professional sphere;
• Transforming our thinking helps us meet our needs far more effectively – including our need to contribute in positive ways to the lives of others; and
• Transforming our thinking leads to improved health and well-being – from our physical health (reduced blood pressure and everything that this might lead to) to our emotional and psychological well-being.

Is this a quick and easy process?  I’m not sure it is.  Some scientists have posited the theory that the amygdalae are part of the limbic system of the brain and that this in turn is older in evolutional terms than other parts of the brain.  The amygdala hijack occurs because our ancient brain perceives a threat of some sort and because the perception of the threat is disproportionate to the threat itself.  In other words, it’s possible we’re wired to have the amygdala hijack as a matter of survival.

Even without the science, the experience of the amygdala hijack is one we all experience and will continue to experience over time.  In my next posting, I hope to offer some ways to move forward – though I can’t promise anyone a hijack-free life.