Putting The Pieces Together

This course consists of an interview with a woman in her late 20s whom I had not met before. She has suffered a decade of severe fatigue and other symptoms. For privacy, she did not want her face to be shown, and she used a pseudonym. At many points, the interview is paused, and my thoughts about what is going on (recorded afterward) are shown. Anyone with severe neuroplastic symptoms that last for years must have one or more powerful stresses, traumas, emotions, or other life challenges. This interview is a search to uncover those issues, followed by a treatment plan. The interview is in three Parts that reflect my usual approach with a new patient. In Part 1, I gather information about the patient’s symptoms and important events in her life. In Part 2, I explore some of the common long-term consequences of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Finally, in Part 3, we encounter a strikingly unusual experience I had initially misinterpreted. This leads to insight that is key for creating a successful therapeutic approach. -David D. Clarke, MD