by Norm McCormack

Veterans of military service know the importance of a functional Command, Control, and Communication (C3) system. The essential link in this system is communication. In order to effectively command and control military maneuvers, leaders have to know where their people are and what the enemy is doing in response to their activity. Only when this information is available can leaders make reasonable decisions. When communication is garbled or otherwise disrupted, decision making is hampered.

Much like the C3 system, our individual decision making relies on receipt and evaluation of the messages we receive from our environment. Like other communications systems, our brains receive and transmit messages. As is the case with any transceiver (a radio that can both receive and transmit), the human brain contains many electrical circuits—each devoted to a particular task or set of tasks. How clearly messages are received and sent depends on how well our brain circuitry works. Disruptions (e.g., open circuits, short circuits, power fluctuations) interfere with both reception and transmission—in other words messages get garbled.

Unlike manmade transceivers, our brain circuitry does not rely on transformers, diodes, resistors, capicitors, and the like. The flow of electricity is modulated by chemicals called neurotransmitters. If the actions of these chemicals are disturbed, the electrical signal—the message—is interrupted.

Disturbances in neurotransmitter circuits can result from physical injury, illness, drug abuse or psychological trauma. For example, it is well established that the circuit connecting the thalamus (information clearinghouse), the amygdala (emotional memory, survival response), and the prefrontal cortex (seat of reason) often malfunctions in those who have been exposed to severe trauma (such as military combat). This malfunction is in the nature of a short-circuit. Instead of proceeding from the thalamus to the prefrontal cortex, and then to the amygdala, the signal is shunted directly from the thalamus to the amygdala, where the message is interpreted solely by emotion. This process—called emotional hijacking—frequently leads to inappropriate responses to the original signal.

Troubleshooting brain circuitry is not as straightforward as it is with manmade devices; oscilloscopes and digital volt meters are of no use to us. The “diagnostic tool” we use is behavior.  If, for example, a person has trouble controlling anger, or avoids involvement in previously enjoyed activity, we can use these as crude measures of disrupted circuitry. 

By exploring with someone how he or she interprets and responds to messages from the environment we can “drill down” and focus on specific circuits. Once identified, we are then often able to help people repair and reenergize disrupted circuits.

Sometimes, it is necessary to use medication to help repair mental circuitry. Just as we may use a jumper wire to temporarily bypass a short in a manmade transceiver, medications help by giving us time to reenergize a neurotransmitter circuit that has been disrupted by trauma. 

    Norm McCormack retired after 25 years of service with the VA’s Vet Center program. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served on active duty from 1969 to 1972.

___________________________________________________________________________________

    Give an Hour occasionally publishes Guest Columns on topics of general interest to our readers. The suggested length is 750 words or less, though longer pieces may be submitted. Columns should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it