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Anxiety: Another Name for Pain

Understand it and solve it  

Stress
Mangione Tragedy: Pain, Isolation, and the Survival Response

David Hanscom MD on January 2, 2025

Luigi Mangione's murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare is unacceptable but understandable in light of what happens to the brain when people feel trapped by pain and circumstances.

Luigi Mangione's murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare is unacceptable but understandable in light of what happens to the brain when people feel trapped by pain and circumstances.

Chronic Pain
Want to Be Smarter and Live Longer?

David Hanscom MD on November 22, 2024

We undertake heroic efforts to improve our quality of life and live longer. One simpler approach is to play racquet sports. They are accessible, and the effects are profound.

We undertake heroic efforts to improve our quality of life and live longer. One simpler approach is to play racquet sports. They are accessible, and the effects are profound.

Stress
Be an Expert at Life and Heal

David Hanscom MD on May 6, 2024

Few of us are taught the skills to navigate adversity and nurture joy. They are within the reach of anyone. Why not attain the highest level of expertise in living life?

Few of us are taught the skills to navigate adversity and nurture joy. They are within the reach of anyone. Why not attain the highest level of expertise in living life?

Anger
Our Need to Feel Safe

David Hanscom MD on April 11, 2024

Not feeling safe drives unpleasant emotions and behaviors. We will do almost anything to achieve feelings of safety, including self-destructive acts.

Not feeling safe drives unpleasant emotions and behaviors. We will do almost anything to achieve feelings of safety, including self-destructive acts.

Stress
Downhill Skiing Is Dangerous—So Is Life

David Hanscom MD on March 17, 2024

Just as skiing down a hill that is above your skill level can be terrifying, life has many challenging runs. Becoming an "expert" at life allows you to enjoy it.

Just as skiing down a hill that is above your skill level can be terrifying, life has many challenging runs. Becoming an "expert" at life allows you to enjoy it.

Meditation
A Simple Starting Point for Healing: Active Meditation

David Hanscom MD on February 12, 2024

Humans' inability to escape from unpleasant thoughts creates much suffering. One effective strategy is simply shifting your attention to a specific sensation multiple times a day.

Humans' inability to escape from unpleasant thoughts creates much suffering. One effective strategy is simply shifting your attention to a specific sensation multiple times a day.

Anxiety
The Abyss: Honour Your Suffering

David Hanscom MD on January 22, 2024

Feeling trapped without an escape causes an intense flight-or-fight reaction. There are viable ways out of the suffering; the first step is giving yourself a break.

Feeling trapped without an escape causes an intense flight-or-fight reaction. There are viable ways out of the suffering; the first step is giving yourself a break.

Stress
How to Heal From Chronic Stress

David Hanscom MD on January 19, 2024

Chronic stress keeps your your body revved up, and it eventually breaks from the effects of the threat physiology. Learning to regulate flight or fight to safety is healing.

Chronic stress keeps your your body revved up, and it eventually breaks from the effects of the threat physiology. Learning to regulate flight or fight to safety is healing.

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.