In this heartfelt episode of The Unquiet Body, Alyssa dives into the often-overlooked reality of medical gaslighting—what it is, who it affects, and how it can delay critical diagnoses. Through the lens of her own spinal CSF leak and tethered spinal cord story, Alyssa shares how her symptoms were dismissed as anxiety, the trauma of not being believed, and the long, painful journey to finally receiving proper care. She also offers three empowering strategies to help others advocate for themselves in the medical system. If you've ever felt unheard, invisible, or doubted in a doctor’s office, this episode is for you.

In the debut episode of The Unquiet Body, host Alyssa shares her powerful and deeply personal journey through chronic illness, misdiagnosis, and the long road to uncovering a rare spinal condition. What began as strange symptoms during a family trip spiraled into debilitating pain, medical gaslighting, and a fight to be heard. Alyssa opens up about the emotional toll of living with a CSF leak, tethered cord syndrome, and the invisible weight of nervous system disability. This episode offers raw insight, hard-earned knowledge, and hope for those navigating life in an unquiet body.