In this episode, psychologist Dr. Amanda Cassil discusses the unfair EDS journey (Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) and provides strategies for effectively communicating with healthcare providers.  Dr. Cassil provides valuable insights and tools for navigating the healthcare system and improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic illnesses. In this conversation, Dr. Amanda Cassil and Linda Bluestein, MD discuss the challenges faced by patients with hypermobility disorders (like Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) and chronic illnesses. YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD. Takeaways Approach advocacy from a place of compassion and understandingRegulate your nervous system and slow down to make more intentional and strategic decisionsAcknowledge and process grief as a natural part of living with chronic illnessConsult with trusted individuals and healthcare providers for guidance and support.Collaboration between patients and healthcare providers can be challenging due to the merging of different knowledge and experiences.Patients can advocate for themselves by asking doctors how to prioritize and address multiple symptoms and issues.Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an effective tool for nervous system and emotional regulation.Patients should remember that their medical journey is often unfair, but there are healthcare providers working to make systemic changes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:04 Motivation for Giving the Talk at the EDS Society Global Conference 04:14 Advocacy and the Challenges of the Healthcare System 07:16 Approaching Advocacy without Blame 10:27 Grief and Acceptance in Chronic Illness 13:34 Key Takeaways from the Talk 18:04 The Role of the Prefrontal Cortex in Chronic Illness 19:12 Neurodiversity and Advocacy 20:12 Presenting Research to Doctors 23:02 Dealing with Suboptimal Experiences with Clinicians 26:09 Processing Traumatic Experiences 29:16 The Role of Grief in Chronic Illness 36:09 Coping with Traumatic Experiences 40:36 Presenting Research to Doctors (Continued) 46:27 Navigating the Challenges of Collaboration 48:07 Addressing Multiple Symptoms and Issues 53:42 Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for Nervous System and Emotional Regulation 59:41 Finding Your Way Through an Unfair Journey This important conversation with Dr. Amanda Cassil about the unfair EDS journey will leave you feeling better equipped to handle difficult medical encounters.   Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.     Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them. Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.       YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! Resources mentioned during the episode: https://www.STEMpsychology.com https://www.instagram.com/stempsychology/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drcassil https://drgabormate.com/book/the-myth-of-normal/ https://www.resmaa.com/merch https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/ #HealthJourney #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #EhlersDanlos #HSD #JointHypermobility #HypermobileLife #MedicalGaslighting  #BendyBuddy #HypermobilityMD  #BendyBodies #HealthAdvocacy #SupportPatients #PatientEmpowerment #HealthcareStruggles #WomenInStem #DisabledInStem