Chronic pain, whether physical or emotional, lives in the same exact pain circuits in the brain. A simple shift in focus from managing symptoms to addressing the root causes within these pain circuits can radically transform how you feel, both physically and emotionally. In this episode, the Amens reveal the concept of the doom loop, and other radical concepts from Dr. Amen's brand new book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain", now available for preorder wherever books are sold.

Dr. Amen's new book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain:

https://www.changeyourbrainchangeyourpainbook.com/

Many of us are feeling anxiety right now, which shouldn't be surprising in such an anxious time. But it's important we keep in mind that while appropriate anxiety is healthy, too much of it can do damage to our health. So how much anxiety is too much? In this chat, Dr. Daniel Amen gives you 22 symptoms of anxiety, so you can count off which ones apply to you and determine where you're at with your anxiety levels. He then gives you 4 simple solutions to help get your anxiety in check.

The word inflammation comes from the Latin word "to set a fire." When you have chronic inflammation, it's like you have a low-level fire destroying your organs, which increases your risk of depression and dementia.

All of us know the feeling when stress is running wild through our body. Everything you think about is influenced by the anxiety and worry. It's horrible, right? You can probably relate to this since about 30% of people who visit their primary care physician are actually there as a result of stress-induced symptoms. Things like headaches, muscle tension, stomach and digestive discomfort, anxiety, and depression are tied to stress. The pain that results from these symptoms can produce a deep sense of futility and hopelessness. In fact, people struggling like this often think the pain is permanent.

But it's simply NOT true! According to Dr. Amen, you might not be able to eliminate the stressors in your life entirely, but you can start feeling better—immediately!

Kill those ANTs! Putting a stop to automatic negative thoughts reduces anxiety and depression symptoms.

Gratitude = A Better Attitude. Practicing gratitude actually changes your brain chemistry! Bringing your attention to the good things in your life has a powerful effect.

Sweat, Don't Fret. Exercise increases both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain! Exercise daily to experience radical positive effects on your anxiety symptoms.

Eat Smart Carbs. Many of us seek comfort in carbs when we feel stressed or anxious. Eating the right kind of carbs helps stabilize blood sugar for a more balanced mood.

• The miracle story of Tim's birth and why doctors said it was "impossible."
• The day he decided to accept Jesus into his heart and how it changed his life.
• How a childhood diagnosis made him feel "less than."
• The tackle that led to a brain bleed and nearly broke his neck.
• How years of football and head trauma seriously impacted his brain, and what he's doing to heal it.
• The powerful moment in the jungles of the Philippines that redefined his purpose.
• Why his genetics put him at greater risk for dementia.
• Why he wants to show up to Heaven "exhausted."

Tim's new book, Look Again:

https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Recognize-Worth-Confidence/dp/1400254205

As parents, we often care so much about our children's wellbeing that we will do whatever we can to make things easier for them. However, when we step in to fix our children's problem, are we helping them or hurting them? In this video clip, taken from Dr. Amen's television special "Raising Mentally Strong Kids", he reveals the approach you should consider taking when it comes to your kids' struggles in order to raise them to be mentally strong, confident adults.

Dr. Daniel Amen and actress/model Nikki Leigh demonstrate a technique to break a panic attack in 2 minutes. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences recurrent panic attacks. A panic attack involves sudden feelings of intense fear and worry combined with overwhelming physical symptoms even though there is no real danger present. Panic attacks themselves are not life-threatening, but they can make you feel like you can't breathe like you're having a heart attack, or like you might die. Panic attacks tend to come on suddenly and without warning. They can hit you anywhere at any time—even in places you would expect to feel safe. For example, a panic attack can wake you from a sound sleep in your own bed, hit you when you're on vacation at the beach, or strike you while you're in church. The distressing feelings can linger long after the initial onset of the panic attack. You may begin to live in fear of having another attack and begin avoiding places or situations where you think it might happen again. This can ruin your quality of life and cause problems at work, at school, and at home.