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Book Review
Doctor Proposes a New Approach to Combat Anxiety Disorders: Encourages Medical Experts to Abandon the Mindset ‘An Anxiety Disorder is Only a Mental Problem’ By Billy C Johnson, MD, PhD Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in modern society, affecting about 40 million adults and costing more than $42 billion a year for treatment in the United States alone. The most popular treatment for anxiety disorders is prescribed medication, including Benzodiazepines and anti-depressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Behavioral therapies are also widely used, either alone or with medication.
The success rate of mainstream therapy has been disappointing. According to Dr. Sun, “Even the improvement rate from the best medical treatment is not significantly better than the effect of a double-blind placebo (at least a 50% improvement rate in 30% of patients).” In some cases, medications and behavioral therapies may worsen anxiety and depression because of their damaging side effects, such as nervousness, impotence, and drowsiness. Most of the treatment failure for anxiety disorders stems from a basic fundamental flaw in medical philosophy, called Substance Philosophy – based on the teachings of Plato and Aristotle. These philosophers have posited true reality as timeless and permanence, with processes unable to change our substance. In contrast, Process Philosophy emphasizes becoming and change over static being.
Dr. Sun has pointed out that the notion anxiety disorders are either caused by brain chemicals or misperceived information is the root of the problem with the failure of therapy. The treatments assume the body is separate from the brain and the brain is separate from the living environment. Conventional treatment of anxiety disorders is designed as quick, focused intervention, addressing a specific syndrome without looking at the “whole person” and possible long-term interactions among medications.
Recovery from anxiety disorders requires a newer approach based on process philosophy. Process philosophy emphasizes that the human body is part of a process rather than a static entity and develops the principles of wholeness, equilibrium, and fluidity. Process philosophy suggests that the root cause of anxiety disorder is the imbalance in the fundamental body processes. In The Triple Process Remedy, Dr. Sun explains how imbalances and blockages in the energetic processes lead to anxiety disorders. He identified three significant problems: deficiency, excess, and fluidity. According to Dr. Sun, “The whole body, apart from genetic factors, is largely conditioned by the interactions between the body and its surrounding environments.” For instance, few people realize the importance of sunlight for health by assisting the brain in regulating hormones helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Sunlight also regulates melatonin, which ensures proper sleep at night and the ability to wake up in the morning.
Process philosophy considers the human body as a living organism interacting with its natural environment. Disruptions to the interaction or the natural environment can damage health. Dr. Sun argues that environmental pollution is the biggest threat to human life and health. He firmly reminds us, “Some causes of anxiety disorders can be found in toxic-contaminated environmental elements. Undoubtedly, avoiding living in a heavily polluted environment is a wise choice for our health.” In contrast, medical science ignores the fact that the human body is part of a larger natural process, with the mind and body interconnected.
Another key element in process philosophy is balance or equilibrium. Keeping balance between the internal forces of the body and the external environment environmental is essential to maintain health. If internal energy is deficient or the external energy is over-supplied, we are out of balance at greater risk of health problems. The Triple Process Remedy indicates that the best way to maintain proper balance is to absorb only enough external energy to satisfy the internal demands of the body. According to Dr. Sun, “If everything is kept balance and flowing, the body automatically functions by nature: continuing to run, act, grow, self-renew, and self-heal (if problems occur).”
Dr. Sun suggests that anxiety disorders result from overwhelming changes and abnormalities of energetic processes in the brain and the body because of an imbalance of energetic forces and blockage of the dynamic flow of life processes. Blockage to the flow leads to significant health problems, and blockages in the brain can increase anxiety, depression and nervousness.
Dr. Sun believes people suffering from anxiety disorders should abandon the belief that anxiety disorders are not curable. Anxiety disorders can be cured if the fundamental life processes are fully understood and the illnesses are treated in the right way. Under certain conditions and with appropriate techniques, the body can heal itself. Dr. Sun’s triple process approach uses the natural process remedy, the nurtural process remedy, and the nutritional process remedy. The Triple Process Remedy presents Dr. Sun’s provocative and innovative approach for treating anxiety disorders in seven sections, beginning with a general introduction to anxiety disorders, theories and treatments. It also includes his analysis of the limitations of modern medical theories in treating anxiety disorders. The final section, the book describes the basic ideas of The Triple Remedy Programme™, which is a natural alternative holistic approach to anxiety disorders.
In The Triple Process Remedy, Dr. Sun has succeeded in deepening our understanding of process philosophy and its possible application for treating anxiety disorders. He provides an array of alternative strategies and techniques for combating anxiety disorders. Dr. Sun also asks us to question our belief in the mainstream approach to treating anxiety disorders. I strongly urge anyone who suffers from an anxiety disorder to read this book even if you are under the care of a physician. The book contains practical, common sense recommendations and strategies to help manage or even cure anxiety disorders. Biography of the Reviewer:
Dr. Johnson is a medical graduate from the University of Florida and he did his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Maimonides Medical Center in New York. He also holds a Ph.D in Molecular Biology/Microbiology and has practiced medicine in Virginia and Connecticut. In addition, he has written many articles for medical and scientific journals. He is the author of “New Prescription for Childhood Obesity” ISBN: 978-0-595-45343-6, and founder and President of Ultimate Health Plus in Cranston, Rhode Island, USA.
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