Episode Highlights with Dr. Paul Anderson

• Through his vast experience researching integrative oncology, Dr. Anderson noticed a side to patient treatment that was often overlooked - emotion.

• Treatments were so focused on the physical changes that needed to take place such as diet change, remedies etc. that the mind-body aspect of an illness took a back seat.

• He decided to write a book about mind-body connection and emotion.

• How do we normalize feelings of grief and defeat and transmute those feelings into the empowerment that leads to more complete healing? 

• What model can we use to help with this?  

• Allowing the body to feel and grieve a diagnosis is often the first step towards feeling empowered, leading to better experience with treatment.

• Empowerment even through the difficulties of any illness is associated with better quality of life, pain management etc., and while these diagnoses are of course not easy to handle, viewing them in the most positive way possible is beneficial to fighting them off.

• This is especially important because of the strong mind-body correlation and its effect on physical health. An empowered mindset better prepares the body to handle each situation and conserves energy to be used for healing.

• There are several tools that can be used to help work through all feelings surrounding the healing process, or even feelings that are more despairing.  Therapy can help address difficult emotions surrounding diagnosis. Clearing anger, confusion, sadness, etc. that are associated with stagnant energy or negativity. Holding onto these sorts of feelings can lead to suppressed emotional response, which could have a negative physical effect on the body and possibly affect its ability to heal, or even lead to further illness.  Therapy either alone, or with others can be a great resource for helping to move through some of the difficult emotions that come along with diagnoses. 

• Clearing these energies is important so that the body can spend all its energy fighting the intruder.

• Clearing negative energies around the body is just as crucial. Limiting exposure to certain family and friends is beneficial if boundaries cannot be respected.

• It is important to remember that no matter what the diagnosis, the choice whether to view it positively or negatively is still under their control. However, positivity is contagious and can inspire one person to handle their emotions more positively if they see another doing the same. 

• Most of all, in these sorts of situations, it is important to focus primarily on yourself first.  We are taught in society that this is selfish, however when it comes to maintaining emotional boundaries and a positive environment during healing, it is as important as any other aspect of any treatment plan.

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