Dr. Eric's Blog

Mind/Body Medicine @ Harvard

Ok..so day one lulled us into a false sense of security.  (or at least into the relaxation response) 

The first part of the day was pretty easy for me.  It was all on cognitive restructuring.  Based on the work of David Burns, M.D., the concept being that our thoughts create our moods.

While this is true and the work of cognitive restructuring is effective, in dealing with Negative Automatic Thoughts (N.A.T.s) for short ; it is clear that it deals mostly with the thoughts and not the source of the thoughts. It would be interesting to do some studies working with issues around mood with Hypnotherapy vs. CBT and a combination of both.

later we looked further into the principles of mind/body medicine.

Did you know that 50% of deaths in the U.S.A. are likely related to lifestyle behaviors:
1. Dietary indiscretions
2. Sedentary lifestyles
3. maladaptive coping responses

And with all of our advances of modern medicine, our life expectancy is only slightly higher than the Czech republic.

Later that day was an exploration into QIGONG.  Another subject I am intimately connected to and its impact on health and well being...turns out those Taoists knew something after all!

Then the most amazing lecture on nutritional supplements.  There are currently over 29,000 different dietary supplements available today.  In an audit of retailers in the us(pharmacy, health food stores etc) They found 402 different weight loss products.

In the area of supplements there are many to choose from but they should not be taken with out the expert advice of someone who has done their homework, knows the science and is able to check for improvements.  Also, taking supplements are not a substitute for eating a healthy diet.

While I do not feel I learned anything particularly new, i did feel like there was more science to back up the work that I do and left the whole program feeling very affirmed.

Mind/Body Medicine Clinical Training Day 1

ok..Herb Benson, M.D., is cute, funny and passionate about his work...of this there is no doubt.
We spent the morning looking at, learning about and practicing the elicitation of the "relaxation response. 

This response dates back and is included in every spiritual tradition.
1. A focus and repetition of one single activity.
2. The passive return to the repetition when other thoughts intrude

The goal is the interruption of our usual automatic thinking.

The rest of the day was spent learning about the physiology, on a molecular level, how stress impacts the body and mind.

While I don't feel I have yet to learn anything new, I am glad that this program exists and M.D.'s are learning to understand and appreciate the connection.

The docs that I have spoken with are frustrated by the system they work in and it's often inability to help patients get better.

In mind/body medicine, the role of patient is redefined.  No longer is the helping professional doing something to the patient.  The patient must pick up the mantel of taking on the role of active collaborator.

Stay tuned to part 2

HIV SHOCK!

The news of an HIV diagnosis can be a great shock to your mental and emotional being. Some are actually still stuck in that event no matter how long ago it occurred.

As a result many go on with their treatment and their life, but do not feel really connected to their lives.

Do you feel a disconnect with your life?
Were you shocked by the news?
Was your doctor/or other health care provider cold and distant?
Was your health care provider scared to give you the news?
Did you feel a deep sense of fear, regret or dread?
Did you become light headed and loose your ability to think?
Did you sometimes feel sad and isolated for no apparent reason?

Then you may have not processed the experience of getting the news of your HIV status and as a result have a number of unresolved issues about it.  To go on with your life with out working through these issues is like living half a life and you deserve so much more.