It has become clear that if a given patient engages in the principles outlined in this book, he or she has a high chance of experiencing a dramatic decrease in pain and improved quality of life at some point in time. The richness of this new life often exceeds anything … Read More
Abraham Maslow Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was a brilliant professor of psychology. He founded a branch of psychology known as “Humanistic Psychology,” which focuses more on psychological virtues or excellences rather than on psychological disorders. Maslow is best known for his conceptualization of “man’s hierarchy of needs.” This hierarchy is … Read More
Self esteem involves endless judgment of comparing yourself to others around you. I discuss the negative impact that this concept has on us. For more, see The Myth of Self Esteem.
All of us know we can’t think clearly when we’re upset. There’s a physiological reason why. Adrenaline and other stress hormones will diminish the blood supply to the frontal lobes of your brain.The flight or flight response is ONLY about survival and that’s it. REACTIVE CREATIVE If you can … Read More
I discuss how anger is the turbocharger that keeps anxiety both covered up and fired up. Until you turn off anger you won’t be able to get a handle on your anxiety or your pain.
“Happy” We all want to become better, happier people, and we work pretty hard at it. The marketing world keeps reminding us that we are not even close to our potential and holds up endless images of perfection that reinforce that idea. The solution advertising offers is a better … Read More
I talk about the frustration and the feeling of being trapped by chronic pain and how using the DOC Project will help get your pain “Back in Control”. Remember: Anger = Loss of Control.
Consider a situation where you are forced to hold your hand next to the hot burner of a stove. What would happen to your anxiety? What would be your next response? In chronic pain, you “can’t get your hand away from the stove.” I talk about this in depth in … Read More
I was relaxing this weekend and cleaning up stacks of papers that have been piling up over the last six months. I ran across this letter a patient had shared with me from her prior surgeon. She had undergone a major low back surgery and came to me with unrelenting … Read More
The culture of medicine is immersed in high standards, ideals, and perfections. Society demands perfection from physicians. It is manifested in many ways. The legal system, hospital staff privileging, no mercy for personal mental health issues, harsh criticism from our mentors. Consequently, as others judge us, we are idealistic regarding … Read More