Site logo

Neuroplastix


Change the Brain; Relieve the Pain; Transform the Person

Fighting Off Anxiety and Depression
(Workbook Page 35)


Pain is often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Although this makes sense from a standpoint of pain’s persistence provoking these feelings, there are very real changes happening in the brain that promote a sense of fear and hopelessness. Mood problems occur because of how pain stimulates and steals nerve cells and depletes neurotransmitters that allow us to self soothe, be calm and be happy. Look at and read the text on page 35 of the Neuroplastic Transformation workbook. This explains the interplay of pain and mood problems, but also reveals the extensive types of brain changes that lock pain, anxiety and depression in with each other.

To change this situation mood problems should be dealt with as a neuroplastic puzzle to be solved. The same idea of letting the symptom itself become the signal to do something to counter it needs to be employed until it is mastered. Self-soothing activities used to fight pain work just as well for anxiety and depression.

The following list of things to do can be helpful:

  • Smelling peppermint, lavender, citrus
  • Walking, swimming, dancing
  • Smiling, laughing, humming
  • Playing music you love, listening to soothing music
  • Getting a hug, giving a hug
  • Helping other people
  • Treating anxiety, fear, depression with a profound sense of disbelief
  • Remembering who you really are and be who you really want to be

© 2015 Michael Moskowitz, Marla Golden Contact