You’ve probably learned by now that your physical well-being, or lack of it, is profoundly affected by what goes on in your mind and emotions. That’s not to say that your pain and suffering are “all in your head”. It reflects the reality that your mind and body are so profoundly interconnected that it probably makes sense to have one word that includes both of them. Because we can’t really find a place where one ends and the other begins. Common sense and most cultural wisdom support that idea, which is increasingly confirmed by scientific study.
One of my patients, Leah, had been suffering from pain in several parts of her body for years. She had diagnoses of osteoarthritis, tendinitis, and fibromyalgia and was really suffering. She had done lots of conventional medical pain treatment with only temporary and partial benefit.
When we met, we discussed her personal. social, and medical history, as is my custom. One of the things that jumped out at me is how much stress and emotional pain she was experiencing. She had experienced physical and mental abuse as a child. While she was very successful academically and professionally, she had this chronic moderate anxiety that had been going on for years. It’s like she was just never comfortable in her own skin.
She sincerely engaged in learning breathing exercises and meditation practices to activate her relaxation response, and shift her biology away from the inflammatory biology of stress and anxiety. It helped her quite a bit with her physical pain.
While the meditation helped her be calmer and have less pain, she started to see the underlying roots of her anxiety. She noticed a near-constant sense of guilt and shame and believed that it was part of what drove her anxiety. She knew that rationally it didn’t make any sense. She was a successful and responsible person. But still, she had these deep negative feelings about herself.
I connected her with a psychotherapist colleague and they got to work. She found that the therapy and the meditation were profoundly synergistic and helpful. Her symptoms kept getting better.
What does psychotherapy do to help physical symptoms? How does it help address trauma and anxiety?
Today’s interview with my friend and colleague Josh Goldberg dives into the psychological tools which he uses to help people with chronic anxiety, relationship stress, and physical symptoms. This is the second interview with Josh. In the first one, we spoke about some of the underlying principles. Today we talk about the actual work he does with people.
It’s a fascinating discussion and I hope you like it. Please feel free to comment or give feedback on the youtube post.
Dr. Shiller gives regular free mind-body training sessions on zoom. Learn practical tools for transforming suffering, and reducing stress and inflammation. You can get the schedule and register atwww.mindbodygroove.com
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Dr. Shiller is available for telemedicine consultation worldwide regarding chronic pain, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disease, fatigue, and stress-related illness. Contact the office or schedule a consultation at www.drshiller.com
