Empathy, Anesthesia, and the Brain’s Relentless Archive
Whether you’re recovering from a procedure or reflecting on how trauma shapes behavior, this post explores the emotional and neurological impact of surgery. For those in Maryland and DC, it’s a reminder that healing begins with curiosity and compassion—for your body and your mind.
First, I have tremendous empathy for anyone who has gone through surgery, no matter how small or how critical. Having someone take a knife (I know surgeons call them scalpels, but let’s face it, they are sharp knives) to you will never be fun, easy, or desirable. I guess it can be desirable when they are removing something that should not be there and is causing you a lot of trouble. In that case, I will say, “Bravo!”
I have written about anesthesia before, and you can look that up. Anesthesia is truly a wild ride, but a clear indication of the truth that our brains hold onto everything. You might think of your brain as a hoarder. Hoarders collect things, find places for them, and do not want to let go of them. Most of us collect junk and stuff, but periodically we sort, let go, donate, or throw away the things we no longer value. The hoarder keeps everything regardless of its value. Well, that is your brain. Trust me. This organ has folds for a reason. Every one of those nooks and crannies is storing details. Some of it is valuable and some of it is junk, but in some way, all of it is important.
It is essential because it makes up your history. We are a collection of our interactions with others and our experiences with the world around us. Your brain is the storage facility that keeps all of this stuff. I know it is hard to believe, but every interaction, every experience, every piece of your life is in safe storage.
Let’s stop and ask, “Why?” If your brain does this for you, then a purpose must exist.
The purpose is to be helpful to you. As we grow and have experiences, we develop ways of functioning. Some of these are strengths and some are weaknesses. Right now, the failings are my focus. If you have a weakness, it has a history. If you can access that history, then you can address the weakness and make changes. If you could not access the history or understand how this weakness came about, then you could not create change. Thank your brain for holding onto the details.
I am not saying that your brain does a great job of helping you to assess these weaknesses and work toward change. In my experience, you have to be motivated to ask your brain to give you the history and to help you understand the weakness before it will give up its treasure. However, when you dare to ask, your brain stands ready to provide.
Look at how you function. Be curious about the history of this behavior or way of thinking. Everything has a history. Open yourself to this curiosity and welcome the challenge of figuring out why you do certain things, why you think specific ways, and why you react with certain feelings. Your brain holds the details, history, and sequence of events that have resulted in this behavior, way of thinking, or way of being. Let your brain give you a surgical view.
Curious about how surgery and anesthesia affect cognition? Explore JAMA’s insights on cognitive decline after surgery, or read about Dr. Charuta Furey’s compassionate approach to brain surgery. For recovery strategies, check out NeuroLaunch’s guide to post-operative cognitive dysfunction.
If you’re navigating emotional recovery after surgery or seeking clarity on behavioral patterns, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support healing and insight.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst