How Negative Thinking Can Amplify Chronic Pain, According to Dr. Daniel Amen
By
Amen Clinics
Summary
This article discusses the connection between negative thinking and chronic pain, drawing from Dr. Daniel Amen's work in "Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain." It explains that pain is not just physical but also mental, and that negative thoughts can amplify physical pain. The article shares a technique from Byron Katie—asking "Is this thought true?" and "Is this thought helping me?"—to challenge negative thinking patterns. It emphasizes that unexamined negative thoughts are believed by the mind and can trigger physical reactions, while correcting them reduces their power over pain.
Source
Twitter / XHow Negative Thinking Can Amplify Chronic Pain, According to Dr. Daniel Amenamenclinics.comKey quotes
· 5 pulledPain isn't just physical—it lives in your mind too.
And the thoughts you think can either turn the volume of that pain up or reduce it to a whisper.
When you notice your negative thoughts, write them down and talk back to them.
Often, you'll find that your negative thoughts are based on fear, not reality.
If you can correct negative thoughts, you take away their power.
You might also wanna read
When Mental Health Labels May Reinforce Suffering Instead of Healing
This article examines the paradox of rising mental health awareness: while therapy language and diagnostic labels have become mainstream, ma
dualisticunity.com·8d ago
Brainstem Contains Built-in 'Off Switch' for Chronic Pain Signals
Neuroscience research led by J. Nicholas Betley has discovered a built-in 'off switch' mechanism in the brainstem that can stop persistent p
penntoday.upenn.edu·8mo ago
How Resisting Reality Multiplies Suffering: Rethinking "Things Should Be Different"
This article explores how the common thought "things shouldn't be like this" during difficult times actually creates additional suffering by
dualisticunity.com·7d ago
Finding Joy Through Suffering: A Conversation with Palliative-Care Physician BJ Miller
Arthur C. Brooks and palliative-care physician BJ Miller explore the paradox that true joy often comes through experiencing pain. They discu
buff.ly·9d ago
Understanding the Link Between PTSD and Suicidal Ideation: Awareness and Prevention
This article discusses the link between PTSD and suicidal ideation during PTSD Awareness Month. It emphasizes that suicidal thoughts in trau
msipressblog.blogspot.com·5d ago
Integrating Buddhist Phenomenology, Active Inference Theory, and Physical Reflexes: A Framework for Understanding Suffering and Cognition
This article presents a theoretical framework that unifies Buddhist phenomenology (specifically the concept of 'tanha' or craving), active i
opentheory.net·6mo ago