This is one of the two visual aids featured in Trauma Glossary 3: Brain and Body on Trauma. This is referenced again in both Master Toolbox 1 and Master Toolbox 2. The top is a map of the pathways of the brain and how they influence each other. In blue is the top part of the brain that determines our executive functioning; as you can see, the (2) parts of the brain’s “Control Panel” are a heavy influencer. The mid-portion of the brain is in red, which is the Emotion brain, with the hippocampus (memory storage) acting as the leading influencer for determining our perception of time. Bottom, in green is the Primitive brain, which determines our “basic housekeeping” and motor functioning. The latter, which feeds the Control Panel, is how our motor timing is determined…
Left: When the Control Panel is humming, your executive levels are functioning. Right: Signs to look for if you start to spiral into executive dysfunction. This is when your ACG “gear shift” is stuck and/or your basal ganglia (BG) is blocked. This is for catching yourself in the act. When that happens, STOP what it is you’re doing, either by taking a break or a distracting activity. Taking a break from the current task is the fastest and most effective means to get your Control Panel humming again.
If you need a broader understanding on this tool, or the ACG and Basal Ganglia and how they function like our brain’s control panel, that article is here.