106. The Mind-Heart Connection: How Anxiety Shapes Our Physical Well-Being

In this episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jonathan Fisher about the profound connection between anxiety, emotional health, and physical well-being, particularly in the field of cardiology. Dr. Fisher, a cardiologist and author, delves into the often-overlooked emotional aspects of heart health that are not typically emphasized in medical training. As someone who has battled severe anxiety myself, I share my journey toward alternative medicine and critique conventional approaches for merely treating symptoms. Together, Dr. Fisher and I advocate for a holistic healthcare approach that addresses emotional roots and promotes compassion, empathy, and systemic changes to support both providers and patients.

Thank you for listening, and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions.

PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX
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TIMESTAMPS
 

00:00 - Introduction to the Episode
01:00 - Welcome Dr. Fisher
01:31 - Breaking from Mainstream Medicine
02:49 - Personal Story of Anxiety
03:45 - The Left Hemisphere Hall of Mirrors
05:04 - Science-Based Therapy Critique
05:33 - Observer of Thoughts
09:55 - Conflict with Self
10:14 - Addiction to Worry
12:36 - Rethinking Health
13:07 - The Role of Spirit in Healing
14:14 - Curiosity and Mindfulness
17:13 - Understanding Emotions vs. Feelings
18:01 - Paving Negativity
19:14 - Understanding Age Regression
20:07 - Healing Through Compassion
22:10 - The "Should" Acronym
23:54 - Attachment Theory and Self-Love
26:33 - The Role of the Default Mode Network
28:38 - Psychedelics and Self-Discovery
33:12 - Healing Requires Support
34:45 - Attention and Life Experience
35:21 - Becoming the Observer
36:45 - Metabolizing Emotional Pain
38:26 - Understanding Anxiety and Healing
39:06 - Childhood Issues and Chronic Illness
39:26 - Changing Medical Ethos
40:01 - Mind-Heart Connection in Medicine
40:18 - Empathy and Compassion in Medical Education
41:44 - Erosion of Empathy in Medicine
42:45 - Factors Affecting Compassion
43:58 - Self-Compassion Practices
44:07 - Connection Over Division
44:54 - Internal Constructs and Compassion
45:57 - Social Engagement System
46:46 - Scientific Basis for Compassion
48:05 - Addressing Burnout in Healthcare
49:04 - External vs. Internal Factors
50:04 - Compassion as a Financial Concern
51:01 - Cultural Differences in Healthcare
51:53 - Managing Suffering in Life
52:03 - The Challenge of Modern Medicine
54:43 - Historical Wisdom in Medicine
55:02 - Motivation Beyond Anger