The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

by Louis Cozolino

A shift away from logical and orderly left-hemisphere thinking to right-hemisphere-biased processing may allow the mother an increased level of emotional and physiological sensitivity that enhances the intuitive elements of attachment. A shift of brain coherence toward the right hemisphere would explain the decrease in linear semantic processing and memory abilities reported by new mothers and mothers-to-be. Although such a shift might be very useful for attunement with an infant, it could be detrimental to functions best performed by the left, such as finding the right words, remembering appointments, and following logical arguments. Many new mothers report an increasing need during the first year to get out into the world of adults or back to work. This need may parallel a shift back to previous levels of left-right hemisphere balance. As the mother gradually recovers from a deep preoccupation with her infant and again becomes interested in other areas of life, the child is forced to come to terms with some of his or her own limitations.