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Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Hate me because I'm wanting to be a better mom by being a little more selfish.

Time and time again I have a new patient come in with the same pattern.  Tell me if you can relate in any way, or you know someone like this:

New mother, or mother of two under 5 years old

No sleep

• No time for herself
• Toxic and deficient diet
• Extreme spinal pain (neck/back)
• No exercise
• Financial Stress
• Relationship Stress
• Depression
• Depressed Immune system (Sick all the time)

In all seriousness, though, I never learned about this phenomenon in school—but a weird pattern I keep seeing as well (maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me) is that the kids seem to follow suit and get sick shortly afterwards.  As is the health of the mother, so follows the health of the family.

By the time they end up in my office, they’ve already had at least 5-8 trips to the GP, who has tested them for viruses and bacteria, taken x-rays, blood tests, and prescribed a list of medications.

Why they end up in my office is because these are all LIFESTYLE and STRESS causes, and our medical system isn’t designed to be effective at correcting the CAUSE of these problems.  As you can tell, it’s with great enthusiasm that I strive to share the truth about why most of us, especially moms, live with needless pain and suffering.

The following video is probably going to make you laugh (at least I hope you do or I suck at comedic acting), but the problem can not be solved with more tests and pills.  I hope it doesn’t just stop with a laugh.  The problem is far too serious and best of all– entirely preventable.

When I tell moms that their spines are stuck and inflamed, they need to move sufficiently, and they need to change their diet and not be running around so much, stressed out without time for themselves, lifting up the kids excessively…. the same objections (excuses) keep coming up.

Here are the typical excuses I hear:

• Can’t afford it — the kids are more important (i.e…I am not a priority)
• No time for myself (I.e. I am not a priority)

Please note that although I sympathize with people’s situations surrounding illness, I have researched and studied what happens to the body when we violate certain laws of movement, nutrition, emotional requirements, and spinal “hygiene” and I want to help you prevent it.  I may come across sounding like an asshole sometimes, but your health is far too important for me to let your kids be without a mother at her best.  I know… “Wait till you have kids, Nima.”  Forget it then.  My mission is to look after you and your kids to allow you all the fullest expression of health possible.

Most people feel that they are serving their kids (or even the world) by putting others above them all the time.

Because there is an inherent pull towards balance in the universe—When you put others above you all the time, priorities tend to re-balance back towards YOU eventually by creating an uncomfortable internal environment which spills over to your external one.

Fine, then.  Don’t maintain that delicate balance.  Soon enough,  you will be forced to.

Sometimes, the best moms are selfish moms.

If you don’t believe me momma—put yourself last all the time, don’t put the right foods in, don’t correct your spinal imbalances because you don’t have any time for it, never exercise, and keep focussing on what’s not going right in life and comparing your life to some fantasy that doesn’t exist.  Our health-care system is overburdened with all that.

Enjoy this next video, and feel free to share it with someone who you think needs it (along with the laugh).  Looking forward to releasing a new episode of the Spinal Therapy series every two weeks for you to learn and enjoy and share. Thanks for the feedback, for reading it, sharing it, and liking it.  It seems I have low self-esteem.  I need all the love I can get.

Thanks for reading and watching.  I had an absolute blast with Tobin and Yasie making this video… and Once again thanks to Maria for her fab work on making me look so damn pretty.  And thank you to myself for making her job so damn easy.  I’m sexy and I know it.

Nima

As an aspiring mind-body wellness expert, one of the challenges I face, especially being in the public eye is the huge responsibility of leading by example, and being authentic.

These last few months have been the most challenging of my entire life.  I’ve been smack dab in the middle of the most gut-wrenching turmoil I’ve ever had to face, and forced to make some tough decisions that will alter the course of not only my life, but another human being that I have loved for a long time.

How ironic that I’ve decided to dedicate my life to learning and teaching about the effects of various stressors on the body and ways we can adapt and dance with it– and I find myself in this moment being immersed in stress, tension, anxiety, conflict, and chaos.

Since it’s not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens– which will determine the outcome of our lives— this is how I’m responding:  Digging deep and gathering courage and exploring my creativity, passion, and purpose.

One of the benefits of feeling helpless and hopeless at times is that it forces you to take risks and action steps you wouldn’t have had the courage to do– because you have no choice but to step out of your comfort zone.  So I, along with one of my brilliant friends who happens to be an award-winning filmmaker, Tobin, sat down after his adjustment one day and tweaked and polished this concept of creating some educational yet fun videos of me acting a fool and playing various characters and doing voices of their spines in a “couple’s counseling/therapy” session.  I watch these videos and chuckle because during the release of the first 2 videos I myself was going through couple’s counseling sessions of my own.

I’ve learned a lot.  I’ve learned that no matter what happens, people will have their opinions about the choices you make.  I’ve learned that it’s not possible to feel stress or anxiety or depression when you are focussed on creating.  I’ve not only learned, but experienced that no matter what, people will like you and dislike you, so you might as well do what you love to do.  I’ve learned that energy is never created nor destroyed, it just changes forms.  I’ve learned that in the darkest times you have your most amazing moments.  I’ve learned that when you are stressed beyond belief, a Chiropractic adjustment works miracles to help you within a matter of seconds.  I’ve learned that your friends and supportive family will always show their true colors in your most challenging times, just like you show your true colors to them.  And even though their true colors might not look too brightly on you, it’s good that you still get to see them.  It’s humbling because your true colors, to some, don’t seem too bright either—-so get off your frigging high horse.  I’ve learned that everyone (including me), is surrounded by both sides of love– support and challenge, praise and blame, build up, and tear down.  No matter how hard you try, you won’t escape it.  I’ve learned that sometimes… it’s just better for everyone involved to just stop trying so hard and let go.

Ah, the bitter-sweet taste of wisdom.

So this is how I am responding.  I’m following my soul purpose– to be an educator and entertainer, helping people heal and transform, using all the skills and talents that I’ve been blessed with to shine my light even in my own darkness.

Ryan the abusive Snowboarder (photo by http;//www.photobinphotography.com

Over the next 4 months, I will be releasing a new “Spinal Therapist” scene for you to enjoy– for no other purpose except that I have something burning inside to share with the world.  So you better share it or I will hunt you down.  I learned from a bright young financial guru at a seminar to invest in my “soul purpose”.  After carefully thinking about it– I pretty much pulled all my money out of real estate and have decided to pour it into things that only pertain to my dreams and aspirations of helping the world transform from physical and emotional challenge and suffering to natural ways of living and being… and helping create a healthy mind and body free of unnecessary pharmaceutical intervention.

I want to publicly thank Tobin for his creativity and friendship– and his amazing wife Sarah who was the inspiration for the next character you will soon see .  He is the genius behind the scenes who has come up with the whole concept.  And to Yasie for being my support through everything even when I didn’t think I would make it. And most of all– To Maria for not only helping me transform into all these characters with her genius makeup work, but also putting up with me for the last 5 or so years.  I will always love you.

So here you go.  Me. Tears streaming down my face (true story).  In my authenticity.  Leading by example (well trying).  Following my dream. The next chapter begins…. NOW.

Thanks to everyone who watched my first video and shared and dropped me a line or sent me an email.  When Tobin showed me the first edit from our 2 days of filming at the Westgate Wellness Centre in Maple Ridge, I knew we were onto something fun.  Your comments were funny after some of you saw my picture on my facebook page after makeup and were horrified.

Nothing gives me more fulfillment than teaching people an important message of health and healing, while getting a few laughs.  As a pathological exhibitionist, I like to know that my “acting a fool” doesn’t go to waste.  Please feel free to share this 2nd installment of “Dr. Nima Chiropractor/Spinal Therapist”.

Thanks for watching, laughing, sharing, tweeting, liking and cringing.  Prepare to be a little bit uncomfortable (again).

Warning.  This may offend some.  Those that have no sense of humor, no charm, wit, sense of playfulness (or good looks)– please do not watch this video.  Those that have problems watching others promote to the world in a fun way what they love to do should avoid my website, facebook, twitter posts with every fiber of their being.

I’ve been criticized by some in the profession for not being professional or too “self-promoting”.  Good.  I’m glad I’ve pissed a few people off.  I’ve watched dozens of my peers do their best to put up videos promoting their practices– first off– Good for you, I applaud you for your courage.  You can’t do or say anything without your critics.  I know– because I too, am a critic of the way we are approaching our health.  I just want to put out videos that make people smile, laugh, and like you will see in this case… cringe.  Please stay tuned for Part 2.

Please enjoy.  Thanks for watching.  And thank you to Tobin for his creative genius and Maria for her great work.

Have you ever repeated a story so much you believed it as fact– only later to realize that the story was not true?  Remember how shocked you were?

It’s disturbing because you start to become aware that you may have other beliefs that are complete bullshit.  Imagine the surprise when we realized the earth wasn’t flat.  I don’t know the story—but I bet you they thought the guy who proved it was a sphere was labeled a heretic.

When I was in school, we were taught to ask our patients about Family History.  I’m sure you’ve been to the doctor and have been asked about the history of illness of your family.  Reason being—if your parents have an illness—then it’s in your genes and your probability will be high as well.

Because of these beliefs, some people have gone so far as to have surgeries without any illness—just as a precaution—like removing their breasts because breast cancer “runs in the family”.

What if I told you we’re discovering these old-school beliefs about cancer and other chronic illnesses caused by “faulty genes” are today’s version of “flat earth”?

The truth is—we are now discovering this paradigm is not true.  Your genes are not your destiny.  Read time magazine’s article “Why your DNA is not your Destiny”. (Jan 2010).

The “Central Dogma Theory” taught in medical schools.

The “Central Dogma” – that is taught in schools (simply stated) is that your DNA gets transcribed to create proteins, which are the foundation of all the physiological functions of your life– and this process is irreversible.   In other words, your DNA controls your life, and there is little to nothing you can do to change that.

The funny thing is that it’s actually called “The Central Dogma” of Biology.  Funny that in a paradigm that prides itself on being scientific, we have a “Dogma” which can be defined as “a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof.”

I have some earth shattering news for you.  New research is now challenging the belief of “it runs in the family so I have a higher chance of getting it”.

I’m also going to explain why this old belief is not only outdated—but it can be hazardous to your health to believe it to be true– in 2 parts.

3 paradigm-changing studies that have been published about Genetics and susceptibility to illness.

1)  The first study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was from Denmark, a country where they for some reason keep an extremely detailed register of genetic origin for their citizens.  Researchers looked at 960 families—more than a thousand children who were adopted—meaning they had NO GENETIC CONNECTION between parent and child, and they evaluated causes of death.

What they found was that when one of those adoptive parents died of cancer before the age of 50, the risk of the child of these parents dying of cancer increased by 500 percent.

But how can that be? You might ask.  There’s no genetic connection!

I’m glad you asked—because the answer is that family environment plays a huge role in your health, regardless of your “strong” or “weak” genes.  The authors conclude

…death from cancer, and possibly also from vascular causes, appears to be influenced by the family environment. (N Engl J Med 1988; 318:727–32.)”

My brother (left) and me (right) on November 22nd, 1975. Not genetically identical-- but we're still twins.

2)  The Second study, again from the New England Journal of Medicine, conducted at a prestigious institute in Sweden where they select Nobel Prize candidates looked at (genetically) identical twins.  They studied whether or not these twins got the same illnesses because they shared IDENTICAL GENES.

Can you take a wild guess what the results were?

The authors state

Inherited genetic factors make a minor contribution to susceptibility to most types of neoplasms (cancers)….We conclude that the overwhelming contributor to the causation of cancer in the populations of twins that we studied was the environment”.

Then they put these cancer-ridden mice in different groups with different environments and in a nutshell–found that the groups in healthier environments (mice that got nurturing, socialization, opportunity for normal exercise, mental stimulation) actually SHRUNK THE CANCER TUMORS.

I says PARDON?

“Dr. Nima, you mean to tell me that even if I have cancer, I can shrink cancer by changing my lifestyle?”

You tell me.  This is what the researchers say:

“We show here that an enriched environment leads to a remarkable suppression of cancer proliferation in all three models tested, even when delayed until the tumor was well established”. (Cao et al. Environmental and Genetic Activation of a brain-Adipocyte BDNF/Leptin Axis Causes Cancer Remission and Inhibition.  Cell 2010 July 9, 142(1):52-64.

Even though it’s controversial for me to say— THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING.  Chronic illness is multi-factoral.  Reductionistic Medicine is concerned with isolating the genes and coming up with an outside-in “cure”.  Unfortunately most clinicians are too busy to keep up with the latest research.  Just because your doctor doesn’t know doesn’t mean it’s not true.

There are many campaigns, runs, walks, fundraisers that we all get behind for this noble purpose of getting healthier.

I’m not saying that those are bad things.

I’m saying we’re spending our energy and money in the wrong place.  I’m saying that the runs, walks, support, being part of a team with a mission, sense of family, community, and placing a high value on yourself IS the cure—not the stuff we are spending our time researching.  I’m saying we can avoid most cancer and disease if we had all those elements in there in the first place.

And maybe I might be so bold as to say that the disease can then be looked at as a gift, a wake-up call, or all of the above to get you to put yourself in the right environment.  And by “environment” I mean proper food intake, sufficient exercise, and sufficient gratitude, self esteem and social interaction in your life.  Oh, and a spine that can move properly.

At least that is what the research is starting to point out.

On my next post, we will discuss what these research findings actually mean in terms of your life and your health.  If you really get what I’m saying and am about to share with you—it’s really a game changer.  We can’t approach our life in the same manner, and not only that—it’s dangerous to think otherwise.

I have an insulin-dependent type-2 diabetic patient who came in for a visit and told me of his problems with blood sugar the night before, and how he had to eat French fries and coke to bring up his sugar after he took too much insulin.

I asked him “ever considered changing your lifestyle?  Ever considered exercise and eating raw, whole foods?”

“No, it doesn’t matter—the doc says it’s genetic.”

Sigh.

And so I continue to write and teach.  For my own sanity.  It might take some work… but the world is starting to catch on.  Are you still worried about your family history of disease now?  Next post we’ll discuss what we TRULY inherit from our parents.

I’ve been frustrated at work lately.

“Doc, it hurts, please fix my________ and make it go away.” (enter Pain, Anxiety, Depression, Cancer, Diabetes, or whatever symptom or disease).

Old Model: Doc assesses with expensive tests, gives diagnosis, and provides some sort of medical therapy (drugs or surgery or “nothing cuz we don’t know what to do for you”).

New Model: I’m not concerned only with your pain/condition. I’m concerned with teaching you first what you need in order to be healthy in the body and mind, and fulfilled in life.
Now I admit, I’ve been beating my head against a wall lately. Imagine trying to practice this “new model” method in an “old model” world.

Imagine people are so used to McDonalds cheeseburgers, it’s no longer satisfying anymore— and it’s making them sick…. So they come to a steakhouse… asking for the same cheeseburger bullshit and expecting a different result. Welcome to my life lately.

I used to call myself a Chiropractor, but the negative connotation associated with it can be a challenge.  I don’t label myself anything anymore. I’m a Wellness/Lifestyle Doctor (becoming an expert). If you’re in any state of less than 100% well-being, REGARDLESS OF YOUR DIAGNOSIS and whatever toxins they are having you take…. You can’t live at 100% if you don’t follow these simple rules:

1) Innate Body—Sufficient Movement, Sufficient Nutrition and Spinal Balance and 100% function. Any imbalances, toxicities or deficiencies with the body must be corrected if the person’s goal is to get healthier.

My biggest challenge? Knowing that patients are coming in to see me for physical complaints, and they happen to be on anti-depressant or anxiety meds not knowing the truth: That in order to start to bring the mind/mental/emotional aspect into balance, you’re wasting your time and energy, effort, money, and compromising your health in a very serious manner— if you haven’t started with #1 described above. They’ve been fed lies about why they need meds.  Without a healthy functioning body, spine and nervous system, sufficiencies in movement and nutrition, and removing the toxicities— your mind will not function in a normal, healthy manner. PERIOD.

2)Innate Mind—Once the body has been sufficiently nurtured (through lifestyle and chiropractic care), most mental/emotional conditions tend to become lessened. You start feeling better emotionally. You handle stress more resiliently. But if there are still “incomplete stories” from the past or present—it makes sense to start working on them now that your body is moving towards balance. Getting help with your social or family network, classes, books, seminars, coaching, or guidance from a therapist or counselor who doesn’t promote your story of victimhood is the way to go. I happen to love this aspect of my job. I’m noticing that I have been looking more and more forward to the classes and workshops I teach at my office more than seeing new patients walk in off the street.

Why is this critical? Because nowhere in school do we learn how to properly deal with adversity. Nowhere in school do we learn how to have a healthy relationship with ourselves and our money, or proper expectations in a relationship. Nowhere in our school do we learn the importance of having a healthy level of self esteem and connection with a community. It’s mentioned, but never really taught. Where did YOU learn these things? Who are YOUR role models?

Wayne Dyer: One of the teachers I would recommend learning from on how to deal with adversity and "emotional subluxation".

WHAT IS AN “EMOTIONAL SUBLUXATION?”

One of my biggest Aha moments was that an emotional subluxation can exist. It is any thought or perception you may have that creates a state of ingratitude. Emotional subluxations are epidemic. I get them every day.  I’m actually going through a big one right now as we speak.  They need adjusting exactly the same way that spinal subluxations do.

An adjustment of an emotional subluxation is as simple as looking at your situation in a completely different way.
Yesterday a patient of mine came in for her regular adjustment. Mind and body she is 180 degrees from where she was 6 months ago… but she came to me with an emotional crisis. After her spinal adjustment (nurturing body)… I started adjusting her emotional subluxations (Mind).  It’s way easier than you think.

Gratitude Deficiency and your emotional well-being.

Over the past year, she has been battling a long term disability claim from some work incidents that created a state of “Post Traumatic Stress” in her life. She was off work, tumbled into worsening anxiety attacks and depression and it was impacting her life enjoyment and her marriage. She was looking for compensation, and naturally, the company she was working for was covering their ass by telling their own version of the story.
After reading their reports this past week, she was almost in a fit of rage inside, which we know creates all sorts of chemical changes that produce states of dis-ease in the mind and body. We had been working diligently with her over the past few months to the point that she was almost pain free, and her anxiety and depression had completely vanished. This last letter she received with those reports were almost enough to bring her back to that state after the main incident.

Emotional subluxations are not cleared by doing something magical or waving some wand or taking some pills.  They are cleared by asking a different set of questions.

The questions I asked her:
How has this incident at work helped you heal emotionally and physically? Were things just perfect with your life, health and marriage, and social network before it all happened? How has this helped your all of those things?

She responded with no—things were definitely not perfect before. Then she started telling me about how this incident made her see who her TRUE friends are, had got her introduced to chiropractic care (she met me at a community screening) which has her neck moving normally and pain free for the first time in ages, and by coming to my classes she has learned more about herself, her mind/body health and the way we respond to stress, how to cope with anxiety and depression, and in her marriage, she saw how her husband was sitting by her side until 2 in the morning to help type out the legal stuff despite being tired from work.

Because she is of Christian Faith, I asked her if she’s aware that God has truly given her everything she has ever wanted, but done it in “mysterious ways”—working the way He is infamous for?

Pause.

She never really thought of it that way.

I believe that gratitude is the ultimate healer, accessible to all of us if we ask the right questions. I was lucky enough to be taught the right questions to clear out an emotional subluxation (disconnection). It only took a matter of minutes for the subluxation to clear. How do you know it’s clear? Tears of gratitude were streaming down her face.

And mine.

And when the body is alignment innately, the lifestyle is in alignment innately, and you’re in a state of gratitude for things just as they are…. Your life starts moving in a flow which can be best described by watching an expert surfer stand effortlessly riding a wave.  That’s the starting point many never reach and they go looking for the perfect doctor to give it to them from the outside-in……When it’s been inside the whole time.

It’s true. My adjustments are changing. My vision is expanding. I’m riding one massive wave here. Where it will go—I really couldn’t give a flying hoot. I’m deeply connected and finding that time stands still when I help people see and feel their truth in their lives.

Thank you for reading and being a part of my journey.

The only way to overcome fear is to face it.  I’ve always had a burning desire to go Bungee jumping, but I chickened out.  Not this time.  hope you enjoy this video as much as I did in experiencing it.  In this week’s Mind/Body Wellness tip, I decide the best way to teach you about facing what you fear is to show you the possible reactions and emotional discomfort you’ll have to work through in order to live the life of your dreams.  Are you willing to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable?

In working closely with people, I found a common theme in those that think their lives are crappy:  Feeling disconnected with their higher purpose. I know because that’s when I feel crappiest.

The mission of my mind-body wellness blog and vlog is to help my community and the world :

- dissolve stress,

- overcome anxiety and depression,

- transform physical and emotional pain

- reduce or eliminate use of medications

- lose weight and live healthy, fulfilling, and prosperous lives

Since this is my mission both in my Maple Ridge office and recently throughout the Globe—I found it fitting to use my first Mind-body Wellness Tip as an encouragement to you to find one for yourself, if you don’t already have one.  And if and when you do, to pour all your heart and soul into it.

If you don’t already have a mission—now is the time to start asking yourself what kind of meaning you want to give to your life.  The truth is, you DO have a purpose for being here, and often times it’s by using what you’ve struggled with for the benefit of others.  Most people use their “stories” as something they are ashamed of and want to hide from.  I often joke that I make my struggles with stress and worry (my mess) as the core foundation of my message.

There are 3 characteristics of a good soul purpose, calling, mission or cause that you will dedicate to.

1)It benefits both YOU and OTHERS simultaneously

2)It involves the removal of suffering and bringing on of fulfillment to others as well as yourself

3)It requires you to engage in an area that you find interesting, have mastery over, and is meaningful to YOU.

Notice how it doesn’t involve you simply being altruistic, either.  Be keenly aware and clear of what you’re getting in exchange for what you want to put out to the universe.  A fulfilling relationship can only occur if both parties are aware of what they are getting in return for what they are giving.

I love to debate this point with people who believe its all about giving and not receiving.

Atlas Adjustment

Last year I went to the Dominican Republic for Chiromission and blogged about it (with video footage).  We were touched by the cause of a Pastor and his wife who adopted 25 children in a small little shack.  Our group rounded up donations to help him build a bigger orphanage to help house 50 more kids—a total of 75!

Here’s the blog from last year called “A trip that changed my life”.  There’s a video at the end.

Since we’ll be returning in a couple weeks to see the progress of our efforts, I thought this would be a great place to start.

Here’s your mind-body wellness tip #1.  Looking forward to sharing with you tools to live at your best—both in mind and body.  Enter your email at the top right hand corner if you want them sent directly into your inbox as they come up.  As always, feel free to comment and share with those that you think could use it.

As a Chiropractor in Maple Ridge, I adjust subluxations in the spine to help bring balance to the body—which helps to balance the mind.

As a speaker/consultant and coach, I adjust subluxations in thoughts and perceptions to help bring balance to the mind—which helps to balance the body and life.  I’ve been fascinated lately with what happens to the body/mind when you are in a state of anxiety.

Apparently I’ve stumbled onto something that is way more common than you might think it is.

From my research, the body, when treated appropriately, fed innately, moved innately, with a healthy alignment, and connected to some greater purpose will organize itself into a healthy state quite magnificently.  It’s truly inspiring to see.   I’ve had the opportunity to witness people go off their anxiety and anti-depressant medications simply by making the right “adjustments” (sorry had to throw that in).  So why do some people then, stay stuck in their cycle of frustration?

The allopathic/medical (disease) model takes an illness or dis-eased state and asks the question: “What’s the diagnosis?”  first.  This way, when there is a label, there is a “scientific” course of action that is prescribed, most often pharmaceutical.  And how do they come up with this diagnosis?  By tests, scans, x-rays.  Test after test to come up with a number to see if it falls within certain guidelines of acceptability.

Examples:

Blood sugars too high = “Diabetes”.

Blood pressure too high =  “Hypertension”

Thyroid levels too high = “Hyperthyroidism”

In each of these cases, the body is responding to it’s environment, often appropriately.  Modify the behavior and the body starts coming back into balance.  Problem: There’s not a lot of time to talk about that in the visit and doctors aren’t trained to.  Solution:  There’s a pill for it.

And not to bash doctors, but when you look at the big picture you see how the industry is set up to profit on the illness, not the healing of it.  It’s a terrific business model:  Manage the disease, and you have created a lifelong customer.

The problem with anxiety and depression is that there are no tests or objective findings, and when you look at the diagnostic manual doctors rely on, you’ll be surprised to know that at any given time of the day/week/month/year, you will be able to identify with a great deal of the symptoms they describe.  Tell me if you can relate to this:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more-days-than-not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).

B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry.

C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more-days-than-not for the past 6 months).

1. restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
2. being easily fatigued
3. difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
4. irritability
5. muscle tension
6. sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)

Ya, that pretty much describes everyone, and maybe 50% of people at any given time.  Can you see why anti-anxiety/depressant meds are a multi-billion dollar industry?

The unfortunate “Mental Illness Trap”

Picture this:

You’re feeling run down with all these symptoms because you’ve just gone through a tremendous loss, or are feeling a lot of pressure from work, or family issues have come up.  You go to your GP.  According to your symptoms, you fit the criteria.  You are now told that the sensations you are feeling are because you have a disorder.  You’re given a prescription for Zoloft or Paxil.  How does that make you feel?  From my experience working with patients and going through their case history, when they tell me they have anxiety disorder, they have 2 reactions simultaneously:

1)   A sense of disempowerment. They see themselves as separate from the illness, as though it has taken over their lives and are fighting against it with the help of medical care. (“I am a sick and weak individual who is mentally ill who requires medication.  Side note–My mother has it too—it runs in the family.  Nothing I can do about it.”)

2)   A sense of relief. Even though the symptoms are uncomfortable, deep down inside, a lot of people take comfort in the fact that they can attribute their horrible symptoms to something outside of their own thoughts and perceptions, and the disorder is to blame.  (“Finally, I know what’s wrong with me.  I have anxiety disorder.  I knew there was a reason I was so miserable. Thank God there are medications for that.  Side note, my mother has it too—it runs in the family.”)

Can you see the problem with that?

It puts you in a situation where you are seeing anxiety as an illness to treat rather than feedback your body is giving you.  You then start on a mission to conquer anxiety rather than looking at it as a necessary result of the thoughts and perceptions about the events that have happened in our lives.  Rather than working on transcending it—we then start to fear the symptoms themselves.  “Oh no!  My anxiety again!  When will this uncomfortable thing go away!  Give me my meds!”

My intention is to first make you aware of this, and to show you how to empower yourself and take action to transcend it. I have to say, as with all challenges, it won’t be easy.  God knows, I have my moments too.  But it’s possible.

This just in:  There’s nothing wrong with you.

If you are struggling with any of those symptoms, I’m going to tell you something that you probably haven’t been told by anyone.  YOU ARE NORMAL.  That’s right.  Unless there is a tumor in your brain that has caused your dopamine/serotonin production to completely SHUT DOWN (which is quite unlikely—don’t go request a brain scan now), those sensations you are feeling are THE NORMAL RESULT of the fight or flight mechanism in your body.  Your heart rate goes up, your digestion shuts down, adrenaline in your body won’t let you sleep, your adrenals will start to shut down and you will feel fatigued from being in this state all the time.  You won’t have any desire for sex, and because you’re in survival mode—being a loving mother/wife/husband and a productive person at work become difficult to impossible—you’re too busy running from a tiger to pay attention to those things.  You become emotional.  Reactive.  Paranoid.  Everyone’s out to get you.  Every comment is a complaint.  Every well-meaning criticism becomes an attack at your character.  Your own mental state can destroy your relationships.

I’ve been through it all—so you’re not alone.

There is nothing wrong with you—it’s the result of the accumulation of thoughts that have been programmed unconsciously.  The good news is that if you want to work at it and take responsibility and empower yourself, you can get back on track.

First step to Transcendence: Appreciation.

I will leave you with this.  First step to emotional freedom is to recognize your symptoms for what they are:  Symptoms and sensations related to anxiety.  Today, whenever you feel the anxious thoughts and symptoms show up—just sit with them for a moment.  Observe how you want to reach for that cigarette/drink/drugs/junk food/sex/work/video games/avoidance behavior in order to quiet the symptoms down.  Observe them from a curious standpoint.  “Wow… isn’t that interesting.  I really want a Big Mac right now.”

And sit with the pain.  Sit in the fire.  Feel the symptoms on the inside and remind yourself that the sensations aren’t the real you—they’re just a normal reaction to the “fight or flight” mechanism.  That’s your body working normally in response to the thoughts you are having or carrying around with you.  The real you is the observer to those feelings, and is an amazing individual with the potential to make a huge difference in the world when they are in that higher level of consciousness.

Step 2:  Stop giving a shit.

Then you have to do something you have never done before:  Stop giving a shit about the symptoms.  Smile at the sensations.  Approach them with an attitude of “who cares—they’re just symptoms and they are temporary.” Like you just broke your ankle and rather than whine about the pain of it—you’re finally letting go and allowing the ankle to heal and you know it’s going to take time– but it will heal. Just allow it to hurt.  You won’t die from it. And you simply go on with your day with a “who cares” attitude about them.

Sounds crazy doesn’t it?  I’m telling you—it works.

This is just the beginning—recognizing the sensations and sitting presently with them.  Don’t try to get rid of them.  Walk with them, dance with them, smile at them, watch them with curiosity.  When you do, you enter a different state of consciousness—you are in the present moment as an observer.  Pretty soon you will realize that you are starting to have power over them.  It’s like weight loss or working out.  You will have ups and downs.  But do it.  And stick to it.  Start today—let me know how you do.  Can’t wait to share more steps with you.

Please retweet/share or pass this along to someone who’s been a jerk lately.  Chances are, they’re in an unconscious “fight or flight” state.