Susan Rich Talks…hidden stress and your health with David Clarke, MD

Is hidden stress making you sick? Maybe.
And even when the doc can’t find anything wrong…it’s not all in your head.

Comforting words, certainly, for anyone who has spent years coping with baffling health problems that defy diagnosis.

The news gets even better: David D. Clarke, MD explains that many people are suffering from stress-related illness, not some dreadful, incurable malady. Once they come to grips with an event that happened last week or 30 years ago, the true healing process begins. While not everyone is cured overnight, the acknowledgement and release of emotional pain often brings significant relief to the physical pain.

The result: A healthier person, both in body and spirit, and a continued journey towards who we are truly meant to be. It’s an inspiring idea, and one Clarke and Susan Rich talked about on Susan’s internet radio show, Rich&GlutenFree.

Clarke is the author of They Can’t Find Anything Wrong! He wrote it to share his approach to diagnosing and treating stress-related illness. The book is a compilation of patient stories and case studies that explains the root cause behind this little-understood, legitimate medical condition.

During his career, Clarke has treated more than 7,000 people with stress-related illnesses condition. It’s believed that 6 million Americans have from some kind of stress-related illness – the same number of people who suffer from diabetes.

That means it’s not an unusual condition, just a poorly understood one.

Unfortunately, Clarke notes, few physicians are formally trained to detect and manage this problem. That means people often find themselves in a medical blind-spot and are subjected to unnecessary tests and unsuitable treatments.

As a gastroenterologist specializing in stress illness recovery, most people Clarke sees are three years into their mystery illness, and have been subjected to countless tests. Experience has taught him to take the evaluation one step further, so he questions patients about life events.

Examples of hidden life stressors include: childhood abuse, domestic violence, physical trauma. Symptoms manifest as chronic aches and pains, migraines, dizziness and nausea, unusually itchy skin, anxiety disorders, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, to name a few.

Craig once treated someone with 21 different medical problems; most were relieved once they identified stress as the trigger.

While it’s true a stress diagnosis can be difficult for someone still in denial over a life event, Craig says it’s not uncommon for people to address the stress once they understand that it might be making them ill.

It’s a fascinating topic, and truly a must-read book if you or someone you know is dealing with a mystery illness that won’t let go. Also, don’t forget to check out the online stress quiz. Understanding ourselves, uncovering our hidden stressors, is definitely a step we can take towards better health.

Don’t miss another show!

Rich & Gluten-Free, with your host, journalist-blogger Susan Rich, airs 11 am ET every Tuesday morning on internet radio station w4wn.com

I’m always looking for guests, product news, advertisers and sponsors. Please contact me with your ideas!