Long Covid Podcast 179 - Dr David Clarke - Decoding Your Body's Secret Language
Dr. David Clarke shares his 40-year journey as a medical consultant specializing in neuroplastic conditions—real physical symptoms generated by the brain in response to stress, trauma, or emotional challenges. He explains how these conditions affect 20% of adults and 40% of doctor visits, yet remain frequently misdiagnosed despite being highly treatable.
• Neuroplastic symptoms are physical manifestations created by the brain in response to stress or trauma
• These conditions affect strong individuals carrying burdens they've normalized, not "weak" or "neurotic" people
• Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can create lasting impacts through stressful personality traits, triggers, and unrecognized emotions
• Brain circuits physically change with chronic stress and can change back with appropriate treatment
• The brain creates all sensations—even with physical injuries, pain signals originate in the brain
• Long Covid and similar conditions may involve neuroplastic mechanisms that maintain symptoms after initial triggers
• Recovery includes reframing self-perception from weakness to strength, setting boundaries, and processing emotions
• Transformation extends beyond symptom relief to improved relationships and becoming "who you were meant to be"
Visit Symptomatic Me to take a 12-item questionnaire assessing for neuroplastic symptoms, and check out "The Story Behind the Symptoms" podcast where Dr. Clarke interviews patients about their recovery journeys.
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(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)
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**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**