Dr. Clarke Is Ulcerative Colitis TMS/PPD?

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Question

I have had Ulcerative Colitis for 26 years and have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I want to fully understand the mind body connection idea. Why are some Auto-immune conditions (eg UC) considered TMS but others (eg MS) not considered to be? What is the difference?

 

A comprehensive answer to your question will await the results of much more research. We do have research results that confirm an interaction between the mind and the immune system mediated by the neurologic system. The existence of this interaction came as a big surprise and resulted in the research field known as psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). (For information about the origin of this field, see my blog here: http://www.stressillness.com/blog/?p=1471)

However, it is a long way from knowing that the mind can affect the immune system to knowing how much the mind contributes to diseases (like UC and MS) where the immune system appears to play a significant role. The challenge is magnified by the fact that psychosocial stress can cause physical symptoms that resemble some of those caused by UC or MS. I am not an expert in PNI but in 25 years practicing as a board-certified gastroenterologist I did not observe much of a link between UC and psychosocial issues and do not believe it should be considered a form of PPD (or TMS). I am not aware of any other autoimmune disorder where psychosocial issues are more than a minor contributing factor (though that may change in coming decades). Writers who claim otherwise need to back their comments up with published evidence and know how to interpret it.

Having said that, some of my UC patients suffered flares in their diarrhea or cramping due to psychosocial issues even while their colon inflammation was minimal. The best explanation for this is that they simultaneously suffered from Irritable Bowel Syndrome which can be considered a form of PPD in most cases. I wrote about one such patient in my book, diagnosing his PPD the day before he was to have his colon removed (the surgery was cancelled of course.) If you suffer from an autoimmune disorder and have significant psychosocial issues to cope with makes sense to treat both. If there is no benefit to the former from treatment of the latter you have still done the right thing for yourself.
My best wishes for your health in future.

 

Thanks, Dr. Clarke, for your reply regarding UC. Guest, good luck in TMS healing.
If you haven't yet, start the Structured Educational Program, free in the subforum on this web site.
It will help you to discover the emotions causing your pain.

 

Thanks for the helpful answer. This was the question I asked before joining the forum. I am reading the Great Pain Deception. I am convinced most of my issues are TMS, but it's hard to resolve my doubts when the author shows such a limited knowledge of auto-immune conditions. I think I should just concentrate on the Fibromyalgia which I KNOW is TMS. I started increasing my activity yesterday. Today I am in severe pain with nausea. All I want to do is lie down and rest. So here is another question. How do you know when to rest and when to ignore your body's messages?

 

You can walk into the first 100 physicians' offices you see and everyone one of them will have a limited knowledge of auto immune conditions. I've been asking scientists about the conditions for decades. But we can observe certain causes and effects, as well as the outcomes. These conditions of ulcers and IBS are certainly mindbody effects. Dr. Sarno listed IBS as a TMS equivalent in DM, and Mate wrote extensively on ulcerative colitis as an effect of attachment disorder fueled by the inability to say no.

As long as you hold to the notion that your body is genetically "broken" and not reacting to unconscious forces, your brain will be allowing you to circumvent the true cause. In denying the cause you aid your brain in its deception. I've received emails from people who have healed from UC and IBS as well as stage 4 metastatic cancer. These people knew (recognized), without doubt, that they themselves created their own symptoms. Their recognition and acceptance of this was their first step in healing.

I would read When The Body Says No. The key will always be to understand "why" the body attacks itself, and to understand that the body doesn't just fall apart. There are reasons for the physical effects.

 

Hi Steve thanks for the reply. I'm sure you realize that UC is not the same thing as IBS, but I have no doubt that there is a mindbody component. I have researched and soul searched for most of these 26 years and I have a pretty good idea about the sources of the condition, plus I went into remission 3 years ago and came off all medication. However, I have heard/read a lifetime of claims and tried many of them to no avail and some with dire consequences, so whether you like it or not, I have to resolve any doubts that I have. Unfortunately, people who confuse IBS with IBD set off alarm bells for reasons I won't go into here.

 

I know Chrons is different than UC, but I have a friend who had this and no longer does (gone on all tests and zero symptoms) and it left along with his other pains during TMS healing

 

It's amazing, especially that I feel it's harder to deal with stuff that have labels. I mean Crohn disease is recognized as 'true' illness. Most people that Sarno helped had back pain, and most of those people have normal spines -> sometimes a little bit degenerate, but it was normal tear and not something unusual. Crohn disease on the other hand make changes in your body that are FAR from normal. To heal from even something like that it shows how TMS can run deep. Not to mention that if you have crohn is hard to stumble to TMS as your problems are recognized by medical community. The only problem is... they usually can't really help you.

 

Anyone reading this please take David Clarke's comments as out of date and no longer valid. As he says he is NOT an expert on PNI. For further information please read When The Body Say No by Gabor Maté where he references autoimmune conditions with respect to PNI and trauma.

Summary of Key Points
The Mind-Body Connection

• Dr. Maté introduces the concept of psychoneuroimmunology, which studies the interaction between psychological processes and the nervous and immune systems.
• He emphasizes that our emotions and experiences can directly influence our physical health.
• The book challenges the traditional biomedical model by highlighting the importance of considering psychological and social factors in disease development.

The Role of Stress in Disease

• Chronic stress is identified as a major contributor to various illnesses.
• Dr. Maté explains how prolonged stress can dysregulate the immune system and hormone balance.
• He introduces the concept of allostatic load, which refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body due to chronic stress.

Emotional Repression and Its Consequences

• The book argues that suppressing emotions, particularly negative ones, can have detrimental effects on physical health.
• Dr. Maté presents case studies of patients who developed serious illnesses after years of emotional repression.
• He explains how the inability to say “no” and set boundaries can lead to chronic stress and eventual disease.

Childhood Experiences and Adult Health

• Early life experiences are shown to have a profound impact on adult health.
• The book explores how adverse childhood experiences can alter brain development and stress response systems.
• Dr. Maté introduces the concept of attachment theory and its relevance to health outcomes in adulthood.

The “Disease-Prone Personality”

• The author describes common personality traits observed in individuals who develop certain diseases.
• These traits often include:
  • Difficulty expressing emotions
  • A strong sense of duty and responsibility
  • Tendency to please others at the expense of self
  • Suppression of anger or resentment

Specific Diseases and Their Psychological Correlates

• Dr. Maté examines several diseases in detail, including:
  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis)
  • Cardiovascular diseases
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
• For each condition, he presents case studies and research linking psychological factors to disease onset and progression.

The Healing Process

• The book emphasizes the importance of addressing emotional and psychological factors in the healing process.
• Dr. Maté advocates for a holistic approach to treatment that includes:
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Emotional expression and processing
  • Mindfulness and self-awareness practices
  • Addressing unresolved trauma or conflicts

Key Takeaways

• The mind and body are inseparable, and emotional states can significantly impact physical health.
• Chronic stress and emotional repression are major contributors to many serious illnesses.
• Childhood experiences play a crucial role in shaping adult health outcomes.
• Certain personality traits, such as self-sacrifice and difficulty expressing emotions, may increase susceptibility to specific diseases.
• Healing requires addressing both physical symptoms and underlying psychological factors.
• Developing self-awareness and learning to express emotions healthily are essential for maintaining good health.
• The traditional biomedical model of disease is incomplete without considering psychosocial factors.
• Stress reduction techniques and emotional processing should be integrated into conventional medical treatments.
• Understanding the mind-body connection can empower individuals to take a more active role in their health.
• Society’s emphasis on stoicism and emotional suppression may be contributing to the prevalence of certain diseases.

Critical Analysis
Strengths

• Innovative Perspective: Dr. Maté’s work provides a fresh and compelling viewpoint on the origins of disease, challenging conventional wisdom in the medical field.
  
  
• Comprehensive Research: The book is well-researched, drawing on a wide range of scientific studies and clinical observations to support its arguments.
  
  
• Engaging Case Studies: The use of detailed case studies brings the concepts to life and makes the material more accessible to a general audience.
  
  
• Holistic Approach: By emphasizing the interconnectedness of mind and body, the book promotes a more comprehensive approach to health and healing.
  
  
• Practical Implications: Dr. Maté’s insights have significant implications for both medical practice and individual health management.
  

Weaknesses

• Potential for Oversimplification: Some critics argue that the book may oversimplify complex medical conditions by attributing them primarily to psychological factors.
  
  
• Risk of Patient Blame: There is a concern that the book’s ideas could be misinterpreted as blaming patients for their illnesses, potentially leading to guilt or self-recrimination.
  
  
• Limited Focus on Genetic Factors: While the book acknowledges genetic predispositions, some readers may feel that it underemphasizes the role of genetics in disease development.
  
  
• Anecdotal Evidence: While supported by research, the heavy reliance on case studies may be seen as less scientifically rigorous by some readers.
  

Contribution to the Field
“When the Body Says No” has made a significant contribution to the field of mind-body medicine and has helped to popularize the concept of psychoneuroimmunology. The book has:

• Encouraged medical professionals to consider psychological factors in disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Sparked increased research into the links between stress, emotions, and physical health.
• Promoted a more holistic approach to healthcare that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.

Controversies and Debates
The book has sparked several debates within the medical community:

• Causation vs. Correlation: Some critics argue that while there may be associations between psychological factors and disease, the causal relationships are not as clear-cut as the book suggests.
  
  
• Integration with Conventional Medicine: There is ongoing discussion about how to best integrate the book’s insights into traditional medical practice without dismissing established treatments.
  
  
• Individual Responsibility: The book raises questions about the extent to which individuals can control their health outcomes through emotional and psychological work.
  

Conclusion
“When the Body Says No” is a thought-provoking and influential work that challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of health and disease. Dr. Gabor Maté presents a compelling case for the profound connection between our emotional lives and physical well-being, supported by a wealth of research and clinical observations.

While the book’s ideas may be controversial in some medical circles, its impact on both healthcare professionals and the general public is undeniable. By highlighting the role of stress, emotional repression, and childhood experiences in disease development, Dr. Maté offers valuable insights that can empower individuals to take a more active role in their health.

The book’s greatest strength lies in its potential to inspire a more holistic and compassionate approach to healthcare. By encouraging readers to consider the psychological and social dimensions of illness, “When the Body Says No” paves the way for more comprehensive and effective treatment strategies.

Despite some potential limitations, such as the risk of oversimplification or patient blame, the overall message of the book remains powerful and relevant. It serves as an important reminder of the complex interplay between mind and body, and the need for a more integrated approach to health and healing.

For anyone interested in understanding the deeper roots of physical illness or seeking a more comprehensive view of health, “When the Body Says No” is an essential read. It challenges conventional wisdom, offers new perspectives on well-being, and ultimately encourages readers to listen more closely to the wisdom of their own bodies.

 

Dr. David Clarke is a retired gastroenterologist who is now the head of the Association for the treatment of Neuroplasticity Symptoms which is the leading international organization for TMS.
Here’s his biography:

DAVID CLARKE, MD
David D. Clarke, MD is President of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms. He is also Assistant Director at the Center for Ethics and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus both at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon, USA. He is board-certified in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and practiced Gastroenterology in Portland from 1984 to 2009. During that time, he diagnosed and treated over 7000 patients whose symptoms were not explained by organ disease or injury.

 

Didn't Helmut have UC which he has fully recovered from?

 

Oh, interesting, I’d love to know the answer to this? Is he contactable?

 

https://www.the-mindful-gardener.com/menu (About Me — THE MINDFUL GARDENER)

I am Helmut Koeckritz, also known as The Mindful Gardener. If you're reading this, you're probably dealing with a range of difficult mental and physical symptoms. Despite visiting numerous traditional doctors, undergoing various tests, taking medications, and trying holistic and functional medicine treatments, you may have found that your symptoms only worsened. Perhaps you even tried gut healing protocols, and detoxes, and received various labels for your conditions. You may have also spent a significant amount of money on different programs, coaches, and advice from numerous sources, all without any improvement. I understand what you're going through because I've been there myself. At one point, I had over 70 symptoms + including Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Food Sensitivities (i had only 2 safe foods), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Gastritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Dysautonomia, Environmental Allergies, Ptsd, Depression, Anxiety, Mast cell activation syndrome, Raynaud disease, Blurry vision, Emf sensitivity, Ocd looping thoughts, Intrusive thoughts, Chronic pain, Pelvic floor pain, Irritable bowel syndrome, Brain fog, PPPD, Candida, Interstitial cystitis, Insomnia, ongoing Panic attacks, Body temperature dis-regulation, Anxiety, Depression, Impending doom feeling, Heart palpitations, Blood pressure going up and down, Heart rate going up and down, faint pulse, Light and sound sensitivity, Dizziness, Neaseua, Skin issues, Rashes, Sensitivity to temperature hot and cold, Sensitivity to the sun, Memory problems, I couldn't remember my own street. I also had tight chest, and many more++However, I fully recovered from all these symptoms and can now eat anything without issues. Embarking on my journey, I faced many challenges and committed numerous mistakes. I delved into various programs and modalities, acting as my own guinea pig and experimenting to find my path to recovery without adhering to any particular program.

 

Thank you for this!