Index

Page numbers listed correspond to the print edition of this book. You can use your device’s search function to locate particular terms in the text.

Note: Page numbers in italics refer to illustrations.

abuse. See adverse childhood experiences (ACE)

acidic stomach:

active treatment vs. passive for, 41–42

consequences of suppression of, 206

active treatment vs. passive, 38–45

for acidic stomach, 41–42

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), 43

for depression, 40–41, 43–44

for gastric bypass, 42

mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), 44

for pain, 41–42

adverse childhood experiences (ACE), 86–87

“Aequanimitas” (Osler), 13

agenda, preconceived, 172, 201, 203, 210

aloofness, 13

Anda, Robert, 85

antidepressants, 203–4

Antonovsky, Aaron, 82

anxiety, reducing, 96–97

assertive poses, 167–68

asthma:

journaling and, 194–95

nocebo effect and, 106

attunement, 59

Australian Aboriginal, The (Basedow), 108–9

authentic story, value of telling, 190–98

circular treatment and, 205–9, 208

example of, 190–91

vs. holding in negative emotions, 192–94

through journaling, 194–98

back pain, treated with placebos, 47–49

Balint, Michael, 3

bariatric surgery, 42

Barrett, Bruce, 19

Basedow, Herbert, 108–9

Beasley, John, 161

beginner’s mind, 131

belief systems, 129–131

betrayal, perception of, 111–12

biases. See also mindfulness

belief systems and, 129–31

brain and, 121–22

danger of, 125–29

frames of reference and, 122–24

neuro-networks of comfort and, 132–35

biology of connectedness, 56–80

brain, 56–59

epigenetics, 71–77, 74

heart, 59

immune function, 59–60

mirror neurons, 60–64

neuroplasticity, 68–71

oxytocin, 65–68

black magic, 107–9

blood pressure, oxytocin and, 66

body. See mind and body

body language. See nonverbal communication

Bonus, Katherine, 143

brain. See also mind and body

biases and, 121–22

caregiver burnout and, 220–21

compassion and, 224–25

connectedness and, 56–59

empathy and, 220–21

placebos and, 49–50

plasticity of, 68–71

breast cancer:

positive emotions and, 63–64

support groups for, 36–39

burnout. See caregiver burnout

calmness, in facial expression, 172

cancer:

epigenetics and, 73, 74

support groups for, 36–39

Cancer Care for the Whole Patient (Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences), 37–38

Cannon, Walter B., 108

caregiver burnout, 217–40

brain and, 220–21

by clinicians, 220

compassion and, 224–28

consequences of, 223

example of, 218

by family members, 219

mindfulness and, 227–30

sources of, 220–23

spiritual anchors and, 230–33

caressing, 181

Carney, Dana, 167

Cartesian split, 34–35

CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), 43

Center for Journal Therapy, 247

Chapman, Tracy, 233

cheek kissing, 180

Chesterfield, Lord, 31

childhood experiences, adverse, 85–87

child’s eye, looking through, 131

chronic illness, self-identity and, 87–88

circular treatment, 205–9

closed position, 168

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), 43

Cohen, Sheldon, 67–68

cold (feeling), contagiousness of, 60

cold (illness). See common cold

colds, treating, 19–25

cold touch, 181

Colloca, Luana, 11–12, 111–12

Colzato, Lorenza, 228

common cold, hugging and, 67–68

communication. See also listening; nonverbal communication

debate, 200

deep conversations, 191

dialogue, 188, 201

duologue, 188, 199

failures in, 188–90

vs. holding in negative emotions, 192–94

vs. keeping secrets, 192–94

small talk, 192

community, connection with following disasters, 194–95, 195

compassion. See also connectedness; empathy

brain and, 224–25

caregiver burnout and, 224–28

ingrained in humans, 77–79

practicing, 70

computers:

diagnosis by, 15

effect on connectedness, 61–62

connectedness:

biology of, 56–80

brain, 56–59

epigenetics, 71–77, 74

heart, 59

immune function, 59–60

mirror neurons, 60–64

neuroplasticity, 68–71

oxytocin, 65–68

distant intentionality, 57–60

effect of technology on, 61–62

following tragedies, 194, 195

hospitals valued over, 16

listening, effect of on, 25–28

in medical writing, 15

studies on, 17–25

technology valued over, 16

convergent thinking, 228

conversations. See communication

“co-passion,” 224

coregulation, 59–60

corticotrophin releasing factor (CRP), 122

cortisol, 122

effect of holding in negative emotions on, 193

oxytocin and, 66

posture and, 168

Covey, Stephen, 198

creativity, 228–30

CRICO Strategies, 189

Crohn’s disease, self-identity and, 87

crossed arms, 169

CRP (corticotrophin releasing factor), 122

cuddling, 181

Cuddy, Amy J. C., 167

cultural competency, deep listening and, 213–15

Darwin, Charles, 8, 171

Davidson, Richard, 70, 103

death of loved one, uncomforting comments following, 112–13

debate, 200

deep conversations, 192

deep listening. See other-focused listening

depersonalization, 220

depression, 203–5

active therapies for, 43–44

passive therapies for, 40–41

treated with placebos, 47

Descent of Man (Darwin), 8

despair, expressing, 117

detachment, 13

diabetes, epigenetics and, 74

diagnosis by computer, 15

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), 75

dialogue, 188, 201

disasters, connection with community following, 194, 195

disengagement, 13

burnout and, 71

example of, 53–55

distractions, 147–49

distant intentionality, 57–60

divergent thinking, 228–29

“doorknob moment,” 202

dopamine, 79, 107

doubt, expressing, 117

Drew, Trafton, 122–23

drugs. See medications

Dr. Watson computer, 15

DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), 75

Duchenne, Guillaume Benjamin Amand, 175

duologue, 188, 199

education of patients about illnesses, 21

emotional distance, 13

emotional expression. See authentic story, value of telling

emotional pain, effect on health, 27–28

emotions, mirroring, 62–63

empathy. See also compassion; connectedness

brain and, 220–21

motivating others to action and, 18–19

studies on, 18–25

empowerment, 21

enhanced visits, 20–24

epigenetics, 71–77

Epstein, Ronald, 152

expert’s mind, 131

expressing emotions. See authentic story, value of telling

eyebrows, raised, 171–72

eyes, expressions shown with, 172–76

face-to-face encounters, mirror neurons and, 61–62

facial expressions:

general discussion, 172–76

mirroring, 61–62

facts, answering feelings with, 104

fatigue, journaling and, 196

fear:

effect on health, 32–34

reducing, importance of, 96–97

voodoo deaths and, 108–9

fear, expressing, 117

Felitti, Vincent, 85–86

Fibonacci sequence, 205, 206

fibromyalgia:

journaling and, 196

self-identity and, 88

fight or flight response, 122

fixing problems, vs. healing, 114–17

Fortney, Luke, 154

frames of reference, biases and, 122–24

Frankl, Viktor E., 81

FTO gene, 74–75

gastric bypass, active treatment vs. passive for, 42

Gaudet, Tracy, 207

Gaulle, Charles de, 211

genetics, epigenetics, 71–77, 74

gestures, hand and arm, 177–78

Gilbert, Daniel T., 156

goals, focus on. See salutogenic approach

Golant, Mitch, 211, 235–36

gut feeling, 58

habituated neuro-networks of comfort, 133

Hamlin, J. Kiley, 77

hand and arm gestures, 177–78

hand-holding, 180

Hanh, Thich Nhat, 202–3

happiness:

relativity of, 84

wandering mind and, 156–58

Healer’s Art course, The, 112, 117–18, 212–13

health goals, focus on. See salutogenic approach

heart, connectedness and, 59

heart attack:

black magic and, 107–9

takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 110–11

heartbeat, resonance of, 59

heartburn, 206

heart disease, epigenetics and, 74

heart rate, oxytocin and, 66

Hippocrates, 15

Holdcroft, Thomas, 218

holding, 181

hope, effect on health, 32–34

hospitals, high-ranking, valued over connectedness, 17

hugging, 66

common cold and, 67–68

cultural differences regarding, 180–81

human connection. See connectedness

ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), 75

identity, chronic illness and, 87–88

illness, focus on from caregivers, 87–88

immune function:

connectedness and, 59–60

psychological stress and, 196

info-medical cycle, 130–31, 130

inhibition phase, 194, 195

insomnia, mindfulness and, 158

integrative medicine, defined, 10–11

intentionality over distance, 57–60

interactional synchrony, 61–62

International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), 75

interruptions, 199–200

James, William, 136

Jefferson, Thomas, 45

journaling, 194–98, 247–48

Jung, Carl, 121

Kabat-Zinn, Jon, 44, 147, 237–38

Keltner, Dacher, 77, 79

Killingsworth, Matthew A., 156

kindness, Darwin on, 8

kissing, 180, 181

Kitchen Table Wisdom (Remen), xv–xvi

Klopfer, Bruno, 31–32, 34

Kopacz, David, 207

Krebiozen, 32–34

linear treatment, 205–9

Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program, 192–93

lips, pursed, 172

listening, 158–60, 198–205. See also cultural competency, deep listening and

circular treatment and, 205–9

effect on connectedness, 25–28

establishing trust with, 209–11

other-focused listening, 200–203

self-focused, 198–200

silence while, 211–13

value of, 203–5

loving-kindness meditation, 227–28, 243–46

Makransky, John, 155

malpractice claims, 189

Maudsley, Henry, 28

MBCT (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy), 44

MCS (multiple-chemical sensitivity), 95–97

meaning, sense of, 83–84. See also salutogenic approach

medical malpractice claims, 189

medications, interactions with each other. See polypharmacy

medicine-men, 109

meditation, 151–54

caregiver burnout and, 227

mindfulness meditation, 241–46

Mehl, Matthias, 191–92

Miller, George A., 187

Milton, John, 31

mind, wandering of, 156–58

mind and body:

inter-connectedness of, 35–38

separation of, 34–35

Mind Body Program, 247

mindful listening, 209–11

mindfulness:

benefits of, 154–58

caregiver burnout and, 227–30

obstacles to, 147–49

overview, 146–47

pausing and, 148–51

rapport development and, 151–54

mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), 44

mindfulness meditation, 151–54, 241–46

minimizing problems, 114–15

mirroring, 182–84

mirror neurons:

caregiver burnout and, 220

connectedness and, 60–64

motivating others to action, empathy and, 18–19

motor cortex, neuroplasticity and, 70

movements, mirroring, 61–62

Muir, John, 35

multiple-chemical sensitivity (MCS), 95–97

multitasking, 160–62

My Therapy Journal, 247

Nazi concentration camp survivors, learning from, 81–83

negative beliefs. See nocebo effect

negative emotions, holding in, 192–94

negative mind-set, effects of, 85–88

from adverse childhood experiences (ACE), 86–87

from caregivers’ focus on illness and symptoms, 87–88

neuro-networks of comfort, 132–35

neuroplasticity, 68–71

neuro-protein Y, 122

Nhat Hanh, Thich, 187

Nin, Anaïs, 122, 142

9/11 attacks, connection with community following, 194

nocebo effect, 105–12

nonexpressive face, 172

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 47–49

nonverbal attunement, 149

nonverbal communication:

arm and hand gestures, 177–78

crossed arms, 169

example of, 165–66

with eyes, 172–76

facial expressions, 172–76

importance of, 166–69

mirroring, 182–84

position, 178–79

posture, 167–68

smiling, 175–76

touch, 179–82

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), 47–49

Oak School study, 91–92

obesity:

biases and, 125–29

childhood sexual abuse and, 85–86

epigenetics and, 74–75

objectivity, 13

opioid-induced hyperalgesia, 41

opioids, 47–49

oppositional tolerance, 40–41

optimism, 91–94

caregivers’ role in, 89–91

contagiousness of, 63

effect on health, 32–34

effects on accomplishments, 91–94

“origin of health” (salutogenesis). See salutogenic approach

Ornish, Dean, 73

Osler, William, 13, 15, 188, 189

other-focused listening, 200–203

Oveis, Chris, 78–79

oxytocin:

caregiving and, 225

connectedness and, 65–68

pain. See also emotional pain

active treatment vs. passive for, 41–42

journaling and, 196

neuroplasticity and, 70

oxytocin and, 66–67

reducing, by focusing on stressful triggers, 88

treated with placebos, 47–49

Parkinson’s disease, nocebo effect and, 106–7

Pascual-Leone, Alvaro, 69–70

passive treatment. See active treatment vs. passive

pathogenesis, 83

pausing, 148–51

Peacemaking among Primates (de Waal), 175

PEECE (positive prognosis, empathy, empowerment, connection, and education) steps, 21

peer support groups, 36–39

Pennebaker, James, 192–94, 247

personal space, 178–79

Pizzi, Rita, 58

placebos, 45–51

back pain treated with, 47–49

brain and, 49–50

depression treated with, 47

polygraph confession effect, 193

polypharmacy, 6, 39–40

Porges, Stephen, 78

positive emotions. See optimism

positive prognosis, 21

positive prognosis, empathy, empowerment, connection, and education (PEECE) steps, 21

posture, 167–68

preconceived agenda, 172, 201, 203, 210

precontemplative state, 222–23

prostate cancer, epigenetics and, 73, 74

proton pump inhibitors, 41–42

purpose in life, 83–84. See also salutogenic approach

pursed lips, 172

“pushing the river,” 42–43

Pygmalion effect in classroom, 92

questions, yes/no, 199

rapport, developing, 162–63

“Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults” (Felitti and Anda), 85

relaxed expression, 172

Remen, Rachel Naomi, xv–xvi, 112, 235–36, 243

rheumatoid arthritis, journaling and, 194–96

Rindfliesch, Adam, 95

Rinpoche, Yongey Mingyur, 143

Rosenthal, Robert, 91–92

Roux-en-Y surgery, 42

Rowling, J. K., 233

salutogenic approach:

caregivers’ role in, 89–91

examples of, 90–91, 94–97

Nazi concentration camp survivors, learning from, 81–83

vs. negative mind-set, 85–88

pain reduction via, 88

Schubiner, Howard, 247

scowls, 172

scribes, 162

seating arrangements, 179

Seattle, Chief, 53

secrets, keeping, 192–94

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, 40–41

self, stories about, 116–17

self-focused listening, 198–200

self-identity, chronic illness and, 87–88

September 11, 2001 attacks, connection with community following, 194

serotonin, 40–41

7 Habits of Highly Successful People, The (Covey), 198

sexual abuse, obesity and, 86–87

sexual activity, 66

shamen, 109

Shapiro, Dan, 129–130

Shockney, Lillie, 63–64

silence, 211–13

Sinsky, Christine, 161

sitting position, 179

small talk, 192

smiling, 172, 175–76

social-polite touching, 181

“Sounds of Silence, The” (Simon and Garfunkel), 198

space, personal, 178–79

spiritual anchor, 230–33

spirituality, 84

SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, 40–41

standing position, 167–68, 179

steepling, 177–78, 212

Stein, Michael, 188

stomach bypass surgery, 42

stories about self, 116–17

stress:

effects of, 85

oxytocin and, 66

submissive poses, 167–68

suffering, beauty coming from, 233–37

support groups, 36–39

sympathetic nervous system, 111

sympathy, 8. See also compassion; empathy

symptoms, focus on from caregivers,’ 87–88

takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 110–11

Taub, Edward, 69

technology:

effect on connectedness, 61–62

facial expression and, 172–73

valued over connectedness, 16

tend and befriend impulse, 66

testosterone, 168

“Texting While Doctoring” (Beasley & Sinsky), 161

touch, 179–182

tragedies, connection with community following, 194, 195

trauma, effects of, 86–87

trust, establishing:

general discussion, 140–42

with listening, 209–11

Tulsky, James A., 104

vagus nerve, compassion and, 78–79

voodoo deaths, 107–9

Waal, Frans de, 175

Wampold, Bruce, 46–47

wandering mind, 156–58

weight:

childhood sexual abuse and, 85–86

epigenetics and, 74–75

Weil, Andrew, 10

Wellpoint Health Services, 15

What to Do When Someone You Love Is Depressed (Golant), 211

Whole Health project, 207

World Trade Center attacks, connection with community following, 194

worldview, biases and, 122–24

writing about emotions, 194–98, 247–48

Yap, Andy J., 167

yes/no questions, 199