Verified by Psychology Today

Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Understand it and solve it  

Anxiety
Be All that You Can Be—or Just Be

David Hanscom MD on November 27, 2023

Our nation's mental health is declining. Why? The driving force, anxiety, continues to be addressed purely as a psychological problem when it is not.

Our nation's mental health is declining. Why? The driving force, anxiety, continues to be addressed purely as a psychological problem when it is not.

Unconscious
Accept the Gift of Consciousness—Choice

David Hanscom MD on November 8, 2023

Repetitive unpleasant thoughts reflect sensations created by our powerful unconscious brain. You cannot access choice while fighting off RUTs.

Repetitive unpleasant thoughts reflect sensations created by our powerful unconscious brain. You cannot access choice while fighting off RUTs.

Anxiety
Mindfulness Should Not Be Taught in School? Really?

David Hanscom MD on October 18, 2023

Mental rigidity is one way of trying to escape unpleasant thoughts. It is usually a futile effort and is a core characteristic of many mental health diagnoses.

Mental rigidity is one way of trying to escape unpleasant thoughts. It is usually a futile effort and is a core characteristic of many mental health diagnoses.

Fear
Fear Can't Be Controlled with Behavioral Suppression

David Hanscom MD on August 22, 2023

From birth, most of us are guided to engage in behaviours that allow us to look good regardless of how we feel. There is a significant negative impact on body and brain.

From birth, most of us are guided to engage in behaviours that allow us to look good regardless of how we feel. There is a significant negative impact on body and brain.

Artificial Intelligence
AI and the Cumulative Effects of "Trauma"

David Hanscom MD on August 9, 2023

Similar to AI, your brain's functional capacity depends on the quality of data input and the processing algorithm. You are the product of your past but can choose your future.

Similar to AI, your brain's functional capacity depends on the quality of data input and the processing algorithm. You are the product of your past but can choose your future.

Suicide
Suicide: An Unnecessary Way to Escape from Pain

David Hanscom MD on July 21, 2023

Being trapped by anything, especially your thoughts, creates a sense of desperation. Sometimes the only way out appears to be suicide. There are many viable alternatives.

Being trapped by anything, especially your thoughts, creates a sense of desperation. Sometimes the only way out appears to be suicide. There are many viable alternatives.

Cognition
We Have No Protection From Mental Pain

David Hanscom MD on June 25, 2023

Physical and mental pain are processed in similar regions of the brain. Unlike physical pain, we have no automatic protection from mental pain.

Physical and mental pain are processed in similar regions of the brain. Unlike physical pain, we have no automatic protection from mental pain.

Anger
Fierce Pain, Explained

David Hanscom MD on June 14, 2023

A key to solving chronic mental and physical pain is being with it rather than running from it.

A key to solving chronic mental and physical pain is being with it rather than running from it.

Anxiety
There Is an Answer to the Mental Health Crisis

David Hanscom MD on May 9, 2023

The answer to our mental health crisis lies in addressing the root cause of fight-or-flight physiology. Anxiety is considered a psychological diagnosis but it is a physiological state.

The answer to our mental health crisis lies in addressing the root cause of fight-or-flight physiology. Anxiety is considered a psychological diagnosis but it is a physiological state.

Self-Esteem
Popcorn Machines and Healing Repetitive Unpleasant Thoughts

David Hanscom MD on April 24, 2023

Obsessive thoughts are universal and they can disrupt enjoyment of life. The extreme manifestation, OCD, is considered untreatable. It is solvable using a multipronged approach.

Obsessive thoughts are universal and they can disrupt enjoyment of life. The extreme manifestation, OCD, is considered untreatable. It is solvable using a multipronged approach.

Dreaming
Quit Fighting Darkness; It Vanishes in Light

David Hanscom MD on April 21, 2023

There is no limit to adversity in life. Yet we keep focusing on fixing our problems to have a better life. Why not focus on turning on the lights?

There is no limit to adversity in life. Yet we keep focusing on fixing our problems to have a better life. Why not focus on turning on the lights?

OCD
Solving Repetitive Unpleasant Thoughts—OCD Is Just the Extreme

David Hanscom MD on April 17, 2023

Unpleasant thoughts cause the body to be in flight-or-fight physiology. They may be the major force causing physical and mental illness. The problem is solvable.

Unpleasant thoughts cause the body to be in flight-or-fight physiology. They may be the major force causing physical and mental illness. The problem is solvable.

Education
Healing Pain and Major League Baseball

David Hanscom MD on March 5, 2023

A key to healing is learning skills to feel safe, instead of problem-solving. A comparison can be made to a major league baseball, in which a player's goal is to get on base.

A key to healing is learning skills to feel safe, instead of problem-solving. A comparison can be made to a major league baseball, in which a player's goal is to get on base.

Chronic Illness
The “C”quence of Healing Chronic Illness

David Hanscom MD on January 24, 2023

Healing from chronic mental and physical illnesses occurs as new and creative circuits are created in your brain. You have to be with your past to create your future.

Healing from chronic mental and physical illnesses occurs as new and creative circuits are created in your brain. You have to be with your past to create your future.

Relationships
Stop Looking for Your Authentic Self

David Hanscom MD on December 13, 2022

Even though we are a blank slate at birth, we are programmed by our environment to be what everyone else says we should be. That is who we are and is our authentic self.

Even though we are a blank slate at birth, we are programmed by our environment to be what everyone else says we should be. That is who we are and is our authentic self.

Relationships
'Tis the Season to Be Triggered at Family Gatherings

David Hanscom MD on November 28, 2022

Most people have a powerful wish to be with close family over the holidays. But often it turns out to be chaotic. Learn why and how to create a wonderful holiday experience

Most people have a powerful wish to be with close family over the holidays. But often it turns out to be chaotic. Learn why and how to create a wonderful holiday experience

Anger
Solve Mental Pain to Resolve Physical Pain

David Hanscom MD on November 8, 2022

There is no separation of mind and body. They are a unit. Mental threats have to be addressed in order to decrease physical symptoms. You cannot escape your thoughts.

There is no separation of mind and body. They are a unit. Mental threats have to be addressed in order to decrease physical symptoms. You cannot escape your thoughts.

Stress
From "Would Like" to "Should": The Unenforceable Rules

David Hanscom MD on October 31, 2022

We project our opinions about how we should live our lives onto others. It is nice to wish people behaved better, but when it turns into a demand, it is an "unenforceable rule."

We project our opinions about how we should live our lives onto others. It is nice to wish people behaved better, but when it turns into a demand, it is an "unenforceable rule."