Towards a neural model of bonding in self-attachment

We build on a previous neural model of bonding circuitry, in which the orbitofrontal cortex mediates between facilitative and stress reactivity to social stimuli, via the dorsomedial and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. We integrate recent neuroscientific findings, and consider how the introduction of additional reward could drive a further, counter-conditioning based re-balancing mechanism between activation of these networks, via increasing prefrontal-driven inhibition of the central nucleus of the amygdala. We simulate our model computationally, and hypothesise that such a process may be involved in a particular phase of self-bonding in the newly introduced self-attachment psychotherapy.