December 22, 2025

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

32 minutes

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!

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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

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By April Ratchford MS OT/L

4.8

7272 ratings