ChE Seminar Series: Unwinding Anxiety: An App Based Mindfulness Program

ChE Seminar Series Presents:

Dr. Nancy Lasson, DO, FACP, DipACLM

Primary care provider and medical director of the primary care group at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative of LifeSpan Physician Group in Providence, Rhode Island

Abstract:

Anxiety can be managed by understanding reward-based learning and using mindfulness to interrupt unwanted behavior. Habits form to promote survival. The underlying mechanism is based on reward-based learning. There are areas of the brain where habits run on autopilot. The neo-cortex, or new brain, is where mindfulness can help break the cycle of unwanted habits of anxiety. Anxiety as an emotion has associated behaviors, including worry, rumination, stress eating, and smoking. The goal of unwinding anxiety is to offer an alternative to autopilot habits by employing mindfulness techniques. Multiple studies have demonstrated significant efficacy in this tool. Mindfulness is the awareness that occurs when paying attention in the present moment intentionally, without judgment. The felt experience of mindfulness replaces autopilot habits like worry and stress.

Bio:

Dr Nancy Lasson is a primary care provider and medical director of the primary care group at the Women’s Medicine Collaborative of LifeSpan Physician Group in Providence, Rhode Island. She is also a clinical assistant professor of medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University. Dr. Lasson received her B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania in religious studies and cultural anthropology. She studied medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is board certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. She was a primary care physician in Limestone Medicine and Pediatrics of Christiana Care in Wilmington, Delaware where she achieved a “Top Doctor in Delaware” award in internal medicine. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and Diplomat of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Recently she became certified as a behavior change facilitator.  Dr. Lasson’s clinical interests include women’s medical issues and care; preventive medicine, especially cholesterol management; coronary artery disease and cancer screening; end-of-life care for patients and their families; and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about struggles of the human soul.