Did you know that one in six adults and 30-40% of primary care patients suffer from medically unexplained symptoms, chronic functional syndromes or psychosocial factors linked to chronic pain? Collectively these are known as Psychophysiologic Disorders or PPD. A trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment can transform these patients from among the most frustrating to the most rewarding and give them a far better chance for a full recovery. As one family physician who learned these concepts said: “It put the joy back into my practice.” From this innovative book, medical and mental health professionals will learn to relieve (not just manage) physical symptoms by assessing for and treating current life stresses, past traumas, suppressed emotions and the prolonged impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The sixteen authors from five countries average 20 years of experience in the fields of Adolescent Medicine, Family Medicine, Gastroenterology, Health Journalism, Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine, Movement Therapy, Neuroscience, Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Pain Medicine, Physiotherapy, Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Sports Medicine. From this wide range of backgrounds, the authors reached consensus on a core set of practices that were a revelation for them and their patients. These concepts are practical and can readily be implemented by any healthcare professional. In addition to the editors, chapter authors include James Alexander PhD, Mariclare Dasigenis LCSW, David Hanscom MD, Ian Kleckner PhD MPH, Mark Lumley PhD, Daniel Lyman LCSW MPA, Meghan Maguire, Georgie Oldfield MCSP, David Schechter MD, Eric Sherman PsyD, John Stracks MD, and Joel Town DClinPsy. About the Authors: Dr. David Clarke is President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (www.ppdassociation.org) and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus and Assistant Director of the Center for Ethics both at Oregon Health & Science University. He is board-certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, and practiced in Portland, Oregon from 1984 to 2009. David Clarke has received numerous awards for excellence in patient care. Dr. Clarke received his B. A. in psychology from Williams College (Phi Beta Kappa), and his medical degree from the University of Connecticut in 1979. Since then he has successfully cared for thousands of patients with stress illness, often sent to him after other doctors were unable to help them. He has been a visiting professor at Oxford University Hospital in England and at the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane, Australia. He was twice named a Top Doctor in Portland Monthly magazine. Dr. Clarke's book They Can't Find Anything Wrong! was published in October, 2007. Leading medical school professors gave it strong endorsements and he is invited to speak at teaching hospitals and medical conferences throughout North America and in Europe. Dr Clarke has done over 100 broadcast interviews. His twenty TV appearances include WABC (NY), WGN (Chicago), WJLA (D.C.), KRON (SF), WFAA (Dallas) and radio interviews include Rosie O'Donnell, Montel Williams and KKZZ, KRLA & KPFK (Los Angeles), WLTW & WOR (New York), WBZ (Boston) and KYW (Philadelphia). The book has been featured in several magazines (including Elle). For his own stress he prescribes playing indoor soccer, photography, hiking among mountains, adventures with his family and his wife's cooking. He lives in Happy Valley, Oregon, which is near Portland. His web site and blog called "The Stress Check-Up" can be found at www.stressillness.com. |