106. The Mind-Heart Connection: How Anxiety Shapes Our Physical Well-Being

In this episode of the Anxiety Rx podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Jonathan Fisher about the profound connection between anxiety, emotional health, and physical well-being, particularly in the field of cardiology. Dr. Fisher, a cardiologist and author, delves into the often-overlooked emotional aspects of heart health that are not typically emphasized in medical training. As someone who has battled severe anxiety myself, I share my journey toward alternative medicine and critique conventional approaches for merely treating symptoms. Together, Dr. Fisher and I advocate for a holistic healthcare approach that addresses emotional roots and promotes compassion, empathy, and systemic changes to support both providers and patients. Thank you for listening, and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd if you have any questions. PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4000+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX ___________________________TIMESTAMPS   00:00 - Introduction to the Episode01:00 - Welcome Dr. Fisher01:31 - Breaking from Mainstream Medicine02:49 - Personal Story of Anxiety03:45 - The Left Hemisphere Hall of Mirrors05:04 - Science-Based Therapy Critique05:33 - Observer of Thoughts09:55 - Conflict with Self10:14 - Addiction to Worry12:36 - Rethinking Health13:07 - The Role of Spirit in Healing14:14 - Curiosity and Mindfulness17:13 - Understanding Emotions vs. Feelings18:01 - Paving Negativity19:14 - Understanding Age Regression20:07 - Healing Through Compassion22:10 - The "Should" Acronym23:54 - Attachment Theory and Self-Love26:33 - The Role of the Default Mode Network28:38 - Psychedelics and Self-Discovery33:12 - Healing Requires Support34:45 - Attention and Life Experience35:21 - Becoming the Observer36:45 - Metabolizing Emotional Pain38:26 - Understanding Anxiety and Healing39:06 - Childhood Issues and Chronic Illness39:26 - Changing Medical Ethos40:01 - Mind-Heart Connection in Medicine40:18 - Empathy and Compassion in Medical Education41:44 - Erosion of Empathy in Medicine42:45 - Factors Affecting Compassion43:58 - Self-Compassion Practices44:07 - Connection Over Division44:54 - Internal Constructs and Compassion45:57 - Social Engagement System46:46 - Scientific Basis for Compassion48:05 - Addressing Burnout in Healthcare49:04 - External vs. Internal Factors50:04 - Compassion as a Financial Concern51:01 - Cultural Differences in Healthcare51:53 - Managing Suffering in Life52:03 - The Challenge of Modern Medicine54:43 - Historical Wisdom in Medicine55:02 - Motivation Beyond Anger