August 2024 Newsletter
Recovery Story
By David Clarke, MD
Paul was a man of very few words.
As I tried to get the story of his abdominal pain it was clear he felt 2-3 words was enough to answer each of my questions. Fortunately, his wife was there to fill in the details. This was essential because he had pain for 55 years and no one had figured out why. Volume 3 of his paper chart was well-named because it was 3 inches (8 cm) thick. It was full of normal diagnostic tests and unsuccessful treatments.
When pain has no organ disease or structural damage to explain it then I go looking for sources of stress, past or present. When he was a boy, Paul's father had regularly physically abused him with fists, belts, and even axe handles. At age 15, Paul left home and never saw his father again. He lied about his age, got a job with a lumber company, and worked in the forest for the next 50 years. At age 19 his abdomen began to hurt, sometimes severely. Now at age 74 it still hurts more often than not.
He was not a good candidate for talk therapy and had no interest in books (apps had not been invented yet). So, I referred him to a class for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families. This was a small group with an instructor and a supportive structure meeting weekly for two months. After the class, he returned for a follow-up and told me what had happened. He did not say a word in the first two classes but listened to others divulge painful details about their early lives. In the third class, he felt safe to share a few sentences about himself. As he waited for someone else to resume the conversation, no one spoke. The group just looked at him expectantly and waited.
After several awkward minutes, Paul began speaking again. Once he started, he couldn't stop. He poured out the painful details of his early abuse for 35-40 minutes. This was astonishing for him, but he felt fully supported and safe. In the week that followed, he had no pain. In the following month, he had no pain. A month after that, back in my office, he was still pain-free and needed no further medical care.
Good News
If you're living with chronic pain, there’s a new hope on the horizon. A just released research study clearly demonstrates that Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET), a revolutionary form of psychotherapy, has shown remarkable success in reducing chronic pain, surpassing even the widely used cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
The study involved 126 patients aged 60 to 90, a patient population whose chronic pain tends to be very hard to treat. Half of the participants received CBT, while the other half underwent EAET. By the end of the sessions and six months later, the EAET group reported less pain and better overall mental health.
The patients who EAET experienced a more significant and sustained reduction in chronic pain compared to those who received CBT. In fact, 63% of the patients who tried EAET reported at least a 30% reduction in pain, a level considered clinically significant. By comparison, only 17% of those who received CBT experienced similar relief.
Even six months after treatment, 41% of EAET participants continued to enjoy reduced pain, compared to just 14% of those who underwent CBT. But the benefits of EAET don’t stop at pain relief. Participants also reported improvements in anxiety, depression, PTSD, and overall life satisfaction.
“Many people with chronic pain don’t think of psychotherapy as a treatment option. They usually consider medications, injections, or physical therapies,” says Brandon Yarns, lead researcher and assistant professor at UCLA Health’s Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. “This study shows that the type of psychotherapy makes a significant difference.”
June 13, 2024, JAMA Network Open
Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain in Older Veterans. A Randomized Clinical Trial
Symptom Spotlight
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be overwhelming, but embracing a neuroplastic treatment approach, such as those presented on the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association website, offers a powerful path to relief. Neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, can be harnessed to combat the symptoms of CFS. By retraining the brain's response to fatigue, sufferers can reduce the severity and frequency of their symptoms.
Neuroplastic treatments can help the brain respond more calmly to potential triggers and decrease the hypersensitivity that often leads to chronic fatigue.
When you utilize these neuroplastic treatments, you're not just masking symptoms but addressing the root cause, leading to lasting change. Start incorporating these practices into your daily routine and witness the transformation. Empower yourself with the knowledge that your brain has the capacity to heal and adapt. Take the first step towards a life with less fatigue today.
Imagine a life where chronic fatigue no longer controls your life. Countless other CFS sufferers have reclaimed their lives using this approach, and you can too!
EMPOWERING HEALING TIP
Do you ever find yourself having scary, fear-filled thoughts when pain or other symptoms arise? Thoughts like, "I don't know if I can take this pain," or "I'm never going to get better"? This negative, fear-filled thinking is known as catastrophizing, a common side effect of having chronic symptoms. But don't worry—there's hope!
Why This Matters
Catastrophizing can make your symptoms worse by trapping you in what is known as the Pain-Fear Cycle. This cycle has three parts:
Pain or another symptom begins.
Fearful thoughts arise, such as, "Oh no, I can't miss another day of work but I'm too sick to get there," or "My back hurts so bad, and my medicine isn't helping. What am I going to do?"
Stress levels increase, intensifying the symptom and perpetuating the cycle.
What To Do
When you find yourself in this negative cycle, it can be incredibly challenging. But there's good news: you can break free! The key is to reduce the fear you experience when the symptom begins or worsens. Remember, just because you have a chronic symptom does not mean you are in danger—it's just your brain overreacting to signals from your body.
Try this simple yet powerful technique:
Sit down and close your eyes.
Breathe deeply, ensuring your inhale is much shorter than your exhale.
Chant to yourself phrases like, "I am safe," "Nothing to fear," or "I'm going to be OK."
Repeat your mantra until you start to calm down.
At first, you may not find immediate relief, but stick with it. Over time, these positive affirmations can become a "safety blanket" that helps soothe your nervous system in times of stress.
You have the power to change your brain's response to pain and other symptoms. By incorporating this healing tip into your daily routine, you can break the Pain-Fear Cycle and start living a more peaceful, symptom-free life.
