Neuroplastic Symptoms for ND: Dr. David Clarke on Brain-Generated Chronic Pain & Recovery | Adulting with Autism

Unexplained chronic pain/illness trapping you in ND chaos? In this episode of Adulting with Autism, host April dives into neuroplastic symptoms—brain-generated conditions from stress/trauma (1 in 6 adults, higher in autism/ADHD)—with Dr. David Clarke, MD (Internal Medicine/Gastroenterology), ATNS President (nonprofit ending pain epidemic), and podcast host "The Story Behind the Symptoms." Treating 7000+ patients, Dr. Clarke's book "They Can't Find Anything Wrong" reveals real symptoms (fibromyalgia/migraines/IBS/long COVID) unresponsive to physical treatments—focus on stress sources for recovery.

Key insights:

• Neuroplastic basics: Brain rewires from stresses (current emotions/childhood adversity/being "different" like ND); no structural cause but real (scans prove circuits change).
• ND link: Masking/difference adds pressure; symptoms signal distress (e.g., pain only at work triggers).
• Screening: Free 12-question quiz at symptomatic.me (<3 min)—yes answers flag neuroplastic; traces stresses (ACEs/trauma).
• Recovery therapy: Reframe signals (98% improvement in CU-Boulder study); address causes (family dynamics/childhood mistreatment).
• Self-esteem rewiring: Letter to past abusers; admire "heroic" inner child (surviving emotional deserts); build joy time.
• Myths busted: Symptoms real/not neurotic; treatable (e.g., 79-year case resolved months); 25% doctor visits are neuroplastic.

For autistic/ADHD young adults in pain/isolation, Dr. Clarke's message: "Stresses cause it—uncover/address for relief." Resources at symptomatic.me (quiz/books/podcast/conferences/practitioner directory).

Subscribe for ND pain hacks! Rate/review on Podbean/Apple/Spotify. Linktree: (socials/shop/Podbean).

Holiday merch sale: 30% off tees/hoodies with code BLACK25 at adultingwithautismshop—rewire your style fierce!

#NeuroplasticSymptomsND #ChronicPainAutism #StressBrainRewireADHD #SymptomaticMeQuiz #NeuroplasticRecoveryTherapy #ATNSChronicIllness #AdultingWithAutism #BrainGeneratedPainYoungAdults #PodMatch #Podcasts #BTSNeurodivergent #BTSArmy

 

Episode: Neuroplastic Symptoms for ND with Dr. David Clarke

[00:00] Intro: Unexplained ND Chronic Pain Trap [00:30] Dr. Clarke's Expertise: Brain-Generated Symptoms (1 in 6 Adults) [02:00] ND Link: Stress/Masking Rewires Brain (Autism/ADHD Higher Risk) [05:00] Screening Quiz: 12 Questions at Symptomatic.me (<3 Min) [08:00] Causes: Childhood Adversity/Current Emotions/Difference Stresses [11:00] Recovery Therapy: Reframe Signals (98% Improvement Study) [14:00] Self-Esteem Rewiring: Letters/Admire Inner Child Hero [17:00] Myths Busted: Real/Not Neurotic; Treatable (79-Year Case) [20:00] Resources: Books/Podcast/Conferences/Practitioners [23:00] Outro: Pain Relief Takeaways & CTAs

Resources:

• Symptomatic.me: Quiz/books/podcast "The Story Behind the Symptoms"/courses/conferences/practitioner directory
• Book: "They Can't Find Anything Wrong" (Amazon)
• ATNS: atns.org (nonprofit info)
• Linktree:  (socials/shop/Podbean)

Subscribe on Podbean/YouTube for ND health tips! Share your symptom story in comments. #NDNeuroplasticPain #AutismChronicIllness #ADHDStressRecovery #SymptomaticMe #BrainGeneratedSymptoms #AdultingWithAutism