Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

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

Connecting to Feelings: The Inverse of Pursuing Self-Esteem

David Hanscom MD on May 7, 2023

In order to heal, you must first allow yourself to be immersed in the past and then move forward with confidence.

In order to heal, you must first allow yourself to be immersed in the past and then move forward with confidence.

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.

Anxiety

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.

Anxiety

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”: Firing Up Repetitive Unpleasant Thoughts

David Hanscom MD on April 10, 2023

The need for mental control sets off the "ironic effect": Suppressing sadness creates more unhappiness, and pursuing happiness creates more sadness. What is the answer?

The need for mental control sets off the "ironic effect": Suppressing sadness creates more unhappiness, and pursuing happiness creates more sadness. What is the answer?

Chronic Pain

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.

Self-Esteem

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.

Forgiveness

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."

Forgiveness

Grievance Stories: Remaining a Victim

David Hanscom MD on October 17, 2022

It is easy to complain. Life is challenging. However, it keeps your body's physiology fired up. A "grievance story" is one that keeps getting repeated.

It is easy to complain. Life is challenging. However, it keeps your body's physiology fired up. A "grievance story" is one that keeps getting repeated.

Diet

Your Relationship to Food Mirrors How You Handle Life

David Hanscom MD on September 12, 2022

Your beliefs around food are a reflection other belief systems. If you continually berate yourself for not meeting your standards, it is hard to enjoy life.

Your beliefs around food are a reflection other belief systems. If you continually berate yourself for not meeting your standards, it is hard to enjoy life.

Trauma

Humans Are Not Data Points—Why Modern Medicine Is Hurting Us

David Hanscom MD on September 5, 2022

Collecting data on large groups of patients (diagnoses) cannot help a given person heal. The premise of modern medicine is deeply flawed as it hides behind the rhetoric of "data-based."

Collecting data on large groups of patients (diagnoses) cannot help a given person heal. The premise of modern medicine is deeply flawed as it hides behind the rhetoric of "data-based."

Anger

Processing Anger with Three Steps: 5–3–2

David Hanscom MD on September 1, 2022

Understanding the physiology of anger allows you to process it on the run. 5-3-2 is a powerful approach. It begins with "no action in a reaction."

Understanding the physiology of anger allows you to process it on the run. 5-3-2 is a powerful approach. It begins with "no action in a reaction."

Chronic Illness

Romanticizing Pirates—Normalizing Abuse and Suffering

David Hanscom MD on August 29, 2022

Repeated exposure to violence desensitises us to others' suffering–especially when presented in the context of entertainment. Connecting to suffering is at the core of healing.

Repeated exposure to violence desensitises us to others' suffering–especially when presented in the context of entertainment. Connecting to suffering is at the core of healing.

Stress

The Golden State Warriors and the "Ironic Effect"

David Hanscom MD on July 2, 2022

Thought suppression causes your body to be in a constant state of fight or flight. Breaking up this automatic way of thinking allows you to live your life at the highest level.

Thought suppression causes your body to be in a constant state of fight or flight. Breaking up this automatic way of thinking allows you to live your life at the highest level.

Chronic Pain

Spine Surgeon Shot—"The Pit of Despair"

David Hanscom MD on June 5, 2022

The shooting of a spine surgeon reflects the failure of medicine to implement proven treatments for chronic pain.

The shooting of a spine surgeon reflects the failure of medicine to implement proven treatments for chronic pain.

Anxiety

Play—the Path to Healing

David Hanscom MD on May 30, 2022

When consumed by anxiety, we lose our sense of play. Play is essential to our evolution as a species, and reconnecting with it is a powerful path to feeling safe and deep healing.

When consumed by anxiety, we lose our sense of play. Play is essential to our evolution as a species, and reconnecting with it is a powerful path to feeling safe and deep healing.