Dr. Price Summary

MIND-BODY MEDICINE SUMMARY
The summary below is a compilation of my understandings, perspectives and practice of “mind over matter”. This best fits my philosophical position of “The thought came first, everything else followed”.
It is very much a “minority opinion” in the current medical practices. I am however an optimist, believing that modern medicine will eventually embrace most of these ideas when evolving technology can better pinpoint disease origins and outcomes from both mental and physical sources. Then they will recognize the dependency and interplay between mind and body.
MIND
As you know, I believe that your mind is by far your greatest asset, but it can become your worst enemy. The potential of the mind far outstrips that of the body, and I have seen things with hypnosis that would be classified as miracles ordinarily. I think our medical profession continues treating from the bottom up, rather than from the top down – that is, the mind should be considered first, and then the body. There are some obvious exceptions to that, such as degenerative and structural diseases, but I suspect that these diseases are the result of inappropriate DNA coding of past failures (mistakes) at the cellular level, a flawed rejuvenation system eventually being adapted in the cell.  We are aware of a number of simpler life forms that appear to be immortal or can rejuvenate new body parts, so maybe the possibility is there for humans. There is more and more evidence that severe traumatic emotional events can be transferred by DNA, why not traumatic physical events? Perhaps a fantasy, but if we paid as much attention to insufficiencies of the mind as we do to those of the body, theoretically we could mend the damaging cell instructions through processes akin to hypnosis, thereby becoming nearer to immortally.
THOUGHTS
Your thoughts are mainly based on your interpretations and meanings from past experiences and events, and your mind generally projects ideas into the future based on the meanings of these past experiences. All thoughts you have are your thoughts. You may adapt or agree with someone’s thoughts, but basically, they are still what you think, you have given permission. This means you also have a choice with all thoughts and can make them positive or negative or anywhere between. A negative thought is harmless unless you believe it. It is the attachment to the negative thought that causes distress. Once attached, there is a problem that often goes unrecognized, and is the main reason causing people to believe that they do not have control of their thoughts. Potent, recurring, long standing negative thoughts frequently have triggers that allow “shortcutting” into the mind, seemingly almost unconsciously, so it appears that you do not have control. This is frightening. You can generally deal with these thoughts by being aware that you are having them. Often people will pretend that they are not there, but they are. When these thoughts (feelings) occur, instantly ask your mind what it is telling you. Accept the thought “as is”, don’t deny it, no matter how unpleasant.  Acceptance is perceiving your experience and simply acknowledging it. Then hold off any judgment and do not attach any value or meaning to them., not letting them become your master. Listen to the thought, embrace it if necessary. Once you know what it is telling you, you can correct or modify the thought. There is a second way that works as well, if not better. You do not have to answer any negative thoughts or feelings, once you do, they own you. You do not have to respond to any negative thoughts, no matter how tormenting. Remain silent, leaving the thought alone. This helps distance you from the thoughts, like stepping out of the thought and seeing it objectively.
THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS, WHAT THEY ARE, HOW THEY WORK
Hate, anger, jealousy, sadness, fear, shame and guilt are the biggies. Negative emotions tend to become problems when they begin to mean something important to you. You have given some event, person or experience importance because you strongly believe, understand something about it. You invent your problems. Problems exist only in the mind. Fundamentally an emotion is just a signal. It is a signal that you are not where you want to be; there is a difference between your expectations and your experience. People frequently assume that feeling an emotion makes it real. It is thinking something is true, solely based on a feeling.  Remember, you have emotions, but you are not your emotions, you are much more than all your emotions, thoughts, behaviors and actions.
Anxiety, in the fear category is by far the most frequent negative emotion. The basic nature of the mind is to dwell in the past, which frequently leads to depressive states, and to constantly worry about the future. Our uneasiness about what’s in the future has become our strategy to prepare for it – our mind’s ingenious way of ensuring that we’re equipped to survive. Unfortunately, these processes generally produce negative outcomes. Anxiety mostly occurs when someone considers the future, imagines something they do not like or want, or can’t cope with, then comes the dreaded feeling, the uneasiness, fear, rapid thoughts and pulse, sweating, etc. – the old “fight or flight” response that was breed in ages ago as a protective mechanism, but rarely needed today. Fear and anxiety reactions are examples of “highjacked” fight or flight responses and are not real. Panic attacks more clearly reflect this primitive state. Just as in many emotions, it is the feeling that is the most troubling part of the anxiety reaction. One of the most important things to remember about anxiety is it is largely produced by “what ifs”, so it is a fabrication of the mind.
MORE ON EMOTIONS, ANXIETY AND SELF, YOU ARE NOT YOUR EMOTIONS
The ancient eastern philosophers picked up on unhealthy association between self and emotions thousands of years before we in the west did. The entire Hindu Bhagavad Gita revolves around the concept of the Eternal Witness as the means of disentangling ourselves from worrisome emotions, feelings.
Now, however the west has fully incorporated the importance of the concept of separation of self and emotion. Our true nature is that we are perceivers. We have emotions, but we are not those emotions. We have thoughts, but we are not our thoughts. We have feelings, but we are not those feelings. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to ignore the negative emotion or thought, but for most people this is not easy.
However, there are practical ways to do this. We know that the moment you step outside of your problem (emotion) and observe it, you create a different context, you are now a witness, not an emoter (my word). Step back from your emotions (feelings) and create a space between you and the emotion. This gives you a feeling of being separate from it. Observe an emotion without judging it – this also applies to negative thoughts.
Some more reflections on negative emotions. We need to think of our strong negative feelings and emotions as being more like advisors, not dictatorial bully’s directing our every move. But for some of us, getting to that point is a major struggle. Controlling emotions [when we need to] doesn't mean not acting on the emotion. It means changing the emotion, to allow us to lead a happier and more comfortable life. We must face down, outwit, and learn to dominate the witches and warlocks of our own feelings.
One of the more prolific and eloquent authors on anxiety related subjects is Guy Finley. I have included some paraphrased quotes from him below.
Do not let fear tell you who you are and what you must do. Fear can only threaten, it cannot act. Anything that makes you negative owns you. There is no intelligence in any worry, fear or anger. There is nothing good, no saving grace in embracing any worry or fear. You do not have to live with any tormenting thoughts or feelings, no matter how compelling their cries (or lies) to convince you otherwise. Your own mind is scaring you, the feel is real, but the why is a lie.
COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS, BIASES
Cognitive distortions are exaggerated or unreasonable thought patterns that aggravate and prolong psychopathologic conditions, particularly stress, anxiety and depression. These are ways the mind uses to trick us into believing something that is not really true. These are generally thought to be thinking patterns that you first used as you constructed meaning as a child and they are often brought into adulthood. I mention only the more common ones here, most of you got a full copy of these when you became a patient.
Overgeneralization: Taking one or two events, usually with significant negative outcomes such as a major failure, making hasty generalizations and broad assumptions (without further evidence or consideration) that they are true. Assuming bad outcomes will recur over and over because of this event. Creates false cause and effect relationships Often blinds to possibilities.
Shoulds, musts, got to’s: Irrational should state­ments do not consider reality. Irrational should and must statements insist that reality conform to one's desires or demands, rather than our desires conforming to reality.
Maximization/Minimization, all or nothing: Over emphasizing failures and minimizing successes. Making a mountain out of a mole hill referent. Very common in depression. Another distortion "Catastrophizing", assuming the worst possible outcome is an extreme example of this
There are also numerous cognitive biases that affect the way you think. They are less known, but still important, you might want to look them up.
AFFIRMATIONS
Affirmations repeated with real desire and honesty and done daily seem helpful. However, my practice experience suggests that they do not work as well as often reported. It does appear that affirmations during self-hypnosis are much more effective.
SELF HYPNOSIS
Self-hypnosis is a great way to relax. Using the anchors for hypnosis that I give most of the patients, one can use them and get into a hypnotic-like state quickly. Then one can use imagery and the other 4 senses to create pictures like on a screen, or can actually step into the scene and be a part of it. One can imagine what they will look, feel like, act like now or in the future. Want to accomplish something that requires a little extra boost? Want to dazzle your friends and enemies with your skills and performance? Consider using the power of self-hypnosis. It is like any other skill, practice improves performance. The subconscious mind has vast resources, generally sparsely used, to help you realize any goal or ambition. Make an affirmation (s) in present or future tense. Say your affirmations at least 5 times and believe that they will happen. Repetition is the way to success, particularly with hypnosis, as it often takes time for the suggestions to be acted on by the sub-conscious. When the sub-conscious “buys in” it is generally a “done deal” as it doesn’t ask questions, just does what is needed.
Remember, numerous experiments have shown that the sub-conscious has difficulty distinguishing your real images from your imaginary ones, so you can usually substitute a very positive and favorable one for the less desirable one. It estimated that less than 20 % of patients continue to use self-hypnosis beyond the actual treatment period.
HAPPINESS, SELF EFFICACY
There is a very broad range for what one thinks represents happiness. However, there is a tendency to dwell on short-term, fleeting occurrences and events that soon disappear, only to be replaced by similar events. The pursuit of happiness is not the same as being happy. Happiness is more about living a meaningful life. Ask yourself what and why you’re going to do with your life. Does it have meaning?
Happiness [and self-worth] is also frequently represented by one’s possessions or standing or associations. Although some happiness can be created through possessions, etc., true happiness does not come from them, it comes more from a quality of the mind that purses positive thoughts and real meaning. It’s not about what you have, where you are or what you’re doing that makes you happy or unhappy, it is how you think about it all. Self-confidence and self-esteem are often used interchangeably, but they are very different. Self-confidence is about what you do, self-esteem, who you are. Self-confidence is about knowing you can do all your activities of daily living and do your occupation in a satisfactory manner. Most people in reasonable health have decent levels of self-confidence, but not nearly as many have another higher and more productive level, self-efficacy. This is being confident about doing something you have not done before. Self-efficacy occurs by knowing yourself and knowing how you know things and how you learn things. Self-efficacy is one's belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. One's sense of self-efficacy can play a major role in how one approaches goals, tasks, and challenges. Do you have self-efficacy?
IT'S ALL ABOUT MEANING, THE IMPORTANCE OF FRAMES AND RE-FRAMING
As most of you know, my treatment emphasis is on meaning. I believe that what something means to someone is the primary determinator (my word) of what and who they are and how they function. Our meanings determine the quality of our lives. You cannot not be a meaning maker, for that is what the mind does. Rather than act instinctually like most animal species,  we react through meaning-making, and therefore our responses are mostly altered by our meanings. My basic treatment goal is to alter, improve, upgrade, transcend to reach the highest quality meanings.
It’s all about changing meaning! That means we must change the frames. In everyday language these frames are beliefs, values, understandings, intentions[IP1] , anticipations, memories, imaginations, hopes, dreams, models, worries, metaphor, cultures, etc. Meaning is a process; it is something that we do. Meaning is made by associating one thing with another so that they become linked and connected; they are not necessarily logical, but when you link them you make them as your meaning. Our lives are made up of experiences (actual events, relationships, actions, even words) that have for one reason or another stuck with us. These events then become stored as memories and because they have some importance to us, we reflect back on them over and over. This self- reflection can be harmful or helpful, depending on the circumstances. However, most of our difficulties come from layering the original event, circumstance with partially true generalizations that over time create a pattern of negative thinking and actions. Very often these mistakes in thinking are in the form of cognitive distortions, which most of you have a copy of from me. Using a series of questions, one can usually get back to the original event and thinking and replace it with more useful, dynamic and positive meanings. This process is called a reframe in the system I use. This is the one where you exchange one meaning for another:  It is not that meaning, it is this meaning. Could it mean this rather than that? The person is never the problem, the frame is the problem. Your mind is made up with frames, frames are made from images sounds, sensations and words. During the sessions I often encourage patients to start with a meaning that’s been constructed for some event of experience. An example: rolling the eyes means treating others with contempt, speaking in a strained tonality means the person is angry at me and may hurt me. In most cases, I want to help to re-frame their issues, so they see their problems as a learning opportunity. Then move to a new meaning or new frame, assert or ask a question that opens the possibility that the original meaning is not the only or best meaning and there are other constructions. You always go for the most powerful, best and most useful meaning.
Your Meanings are not working properly when you fail to translate your skills and knowledge into action, the same problem continues year after year, you seem imprisoned by a set of perceptions, understandings and feelings that keep you locked in, attempted solutions worsen the problem and what has worked no longer seems to. That’s a long way of saying you are not happy with yourself or your situation.
RELATIONSHIPS
 A few comments on relationships. Relationships in birth related families have special problems, so here I am talking more about non-birth related situations, however, most of the thoughts here also apply to birth related families. Relationships are intended to be mutual, that is, you put something in and expect to get something back. Put another way, you are expecting something favorable from a relationship and you plan to give something favorable back in return. Relationships work best when both (or multiple)parties understand that it is a “give and take” arrangement. Relationships are also driven by what they mean or how they are perceived by both (either) parties. Even then, one party often puts in more than the other.
In relationships, one should always focus on the actions and not be fooled by the words. Often people enter relationships with silent pre-suppositions, i.e. they are making assumptions about the relationship based on their perceptions, not on the open exchange of ideas about the relationship. Be your imperfect self, not an imaginary self, playing a role. Accept people as they are, do not enter a relationship expecting to change someone else. When in a relationship keep your promises, mean what you say and keep it honest on any vital issues. Relationships don’t necessarily create happiness, but they will reflect it.  What people say and do in a negative manner is mostly a reflection of their own short comings. Ignore hurtful criticism and nonconstructive comments. No one has an absolute right to judge you, and what most people say or think about you is not important. People will treat you about the way you let them treat you.
Finally, good relationships need at a minimum forgiveness, compassion, appreciation, giving, recognition and love.
MORNING ROUTINE
One of the suggestions I offer most of my patients is to develop a simple positive morning routine. Most people get up in the morning and right away are thinking about the upcoming day, often in an nonconstructive and anxious way. They often let the slightest cue, such as a rainy day, set the tone for the day. Over the years I have convinced some (not nearly enough) patients to follow some simple daily routine that starts with a positive note. I suggest always remembering that each new day is an opportunity to expand your life in numerous ways. Remind yourself to live in the moment and not dwell on the past or future. Do something every day to grow toward what you wish to be and have in your life. Have a strong sense of gratitude. Say to yourself, I will have a good day. Instead of thinking I must, I should, I ought to, say I get to!
THERE IS NO FAILURE, ONLY FEEDBACK
The “failure concept” is a deeply ingrained belief in our culture.
When it comes to the experience of failure, I suspect that the great majority of people on the Planet believe in it;  they believe there is such a thing.
Next, they believe it is a “bad” thing.  They also believe they should avoid it at all costs.  Worse of all, they believe they could become "a failure" if certain events occur.  Talk about a sad and pathetic perspective!
There is no failure, only feedback [or learning experience] is a re-frame; those of you that have read the blogs know that the re-frame is changing the content of a belief with a more empowering and productive belief.  The re-frame states that the meaning of an experience that did not turn out the way you wanted it to, or hoped that it would, is not a "failure," but "feedback information."  This gives you tremendous flexibility to adjust when something doesn't work. Whatever happens, you can just as easily classify it under the category of "feedback." Remember feedback is not just saying that you failed, but a thoughtful analysis of the process and what went wrong.
There is no failure, only feedback, when well-integrated into yourself, becomes an attitude.  As a frame of meaning, it offers you a new mind-set that can generate one of the most productive set of attitudes that contributes to effective and successful living.  
The new attitude is that you can "invent solutions as you go."  You don't have to have everything figured out ahead of time.  You don't have to live in a constant fear of failure.  You don't have to procrastinate on getting started because everything is not perfect.  You can start today and experiment as you go.  
Most people give up far too easily.  They give up on projects, businesses, marriages, friendships, etc. because they take the information and communication about something not working as failure instead of as feedback.
EASY SELF-TREATMENT IDEAS
These are more anxiety related, and to me seemed to be the most used by patients. Set yourself up “a worry time” no more frequently than daily and do all your negative thinking and worrying during that time specific period. This gives more control over random worry (which tends to increase negative thinking) and anxiety for you can say “I will save that worry for my worry time”. A similar idea is to set up “a worry box”. When you notice a worry or other anxious thought, just write it down on a piece of paper and put it in a “worry box”, a container that you keep handy. Doing this allows you to distance the worrisome item from your mind, thereby separating it somewhat from the mind. Then at a specified time, no more frequently than daily (or less), take out and read your items. Some you can often immediately discard, others will give you an indication if there is a pattern or dominating theme which you can use to make positive changes.
Change your internal dialogue. When you get those anxious feelings, notice that you are talking to yourself in a very negative way. You can manipulate the self-talk and change it into something productive. Notice where the self-talk is coming from. Is it in your forehead, left or right side of your head or somewhere else? Change the location of where it is coming from. Maybe it can come from your left shoulder or from a radio or the floor or ceiling. Change the voice as if it were from someone you considered stupid. Change the tone, make it high pitched, wavy or weird. Change the tempo. Slow it down more and more until it stops.
Visualization exercises - these can be done at most any time that you have a few minutes and can get into a comfortable, quiet spot. Relax, take several deep breaths while saying “relax” or a similar word while exhaling.
Select an anxious thought or fear, one that really frightens you, or is foolish or dumb. Notice what you are saying about it to yourself, how you feel. First create a clean image of yourself in your mind as strong and powerful person with many courageous resources. Notice how that feels. See yourself as relaxed, looking confident, successful. Make a clear picture of that in your mind, close up, vivid colors and sensations. See it as if you are on a screen. Now step into it and notice how powerful it feels. Now, for the moment, step back out. Shrink down that desired image into one corner of the screen. Make it very small, black and white, and blurry. Then using the initiating fear picture, bring it up fully on the screen, up close, bright colors, see, and feel yourself in the picture through your eyes. Now shrink down this picture to almost nothingness into the same corner as the other and bring up the resourceful picture to full screen. This is a swish, exchanging one image for another, sometimes saying or thinking “swish” during the process makes it stronger. The resourceful screen should be same as before, bright, vivid colors, up close, strong feelings. You can add music, strong commanding voice tones as well. You can also place these resources into the future.
Clear your mind screen and repeat 3-4 times.
When you find that you are anxious, see a picture in your mind of your anxious self, with all the features you know you have when you are anxious. Imagine in your mind that you could press a pause button and step out of this mental movie. Once you step out imagine how you could feel if you added positive resources that you would rather have to your image. Think of some beneficial resources that you have or can imagine by going back to a time where you were confident, strong and focused and add or layer them to the picture. Consider putting on a vest or jacket of peace and confidence and adding this to the picture. Then step back into the movie and notice how it feels, notice how you appear. You will generally notice how the image changes and you become relaxed and calm in the scene. If you still feel any anxiety, step out, add more resources and step back in. Repeat again if needed.
BEST OF THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY (originals, quotes and paraphrases)
If you take your thoughts too seriously, you give your mind undue attention. This encourages you to think more and more, often confusing possibility with probability. Step back from the thoughts and don’t let thoughts become your master.
The present is the only real time that we have. However, because the present is given to us, our mind perceives it as something not worth dwelling in – it’s not worth thinking about the present because it's simply guaranteed.
Search the past for valuable lessons, significant points, and truths to live by, but remember it is just an experience from the past, not something as a reason to feel bad.
The future will be made from the actions, thoughts, beliefs, frames that I create today. I will focus my energies on what I can do today to aid a more enticing future.
Comparisons often lead to insecurity. This is often made worse by comparing your circumstances (your factual behind the scenes reel) to everyone else’s public highlight reel.
Your ICAN is more important than your IQ
Stop focusing on what’s wrong and focus on what’s right. It’s all about where you focus.
You Always Have a Choice, there are always at least two options. If you can't physically change something, you can change the way you think about it and if you can change it, you can view a problem as a challenge, a learning or an enlightening opportunity.
Worry less about what other people think of you. Life is about spending your time passionately, being happy with who you are inside, and not worrying about everyone’s petty judgments.
Many of the patients I see tend to take criticisms and judging too personally. They are usually sensitive to these because of diminished self-esteem. I tell them the old quote, sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me (sometimes a tough sell). The truth often is the criticizers are responding to their own personal hurts and failures.
You cannot solve problems using the same thinking that created the problems.
When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.
I will not hold the past against myself. Despite what you may have seen or heard, your past does not determine your future, you can learn from the past, but what you do every day that is positive will allow the best possible future.
You need to ignore what everyone else is doing and achieving. – Your life is about breaking your own limits and outgrowing yourself to live your best life.
Anxious, go from what ifs to what is’es, i.e, the moment.
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
 
The mind is your battleground. It’s the place where the fiercest and most ruthless conflict resides. It’s where more than half of the things you feared were going to happen, never did. It’s where your expectations generally get the best of you. It’s where you fall victim to your own train of negative thoughts time and time again.
Whether you say “I can” or” I can’t”, you are usually right.