Have you ever taken a medication that made you feel worse instead of better?
Have you been told your symptoms were anxiety… when your body was clearly in crisis?
Have you felt changed — even traumatized — by the very system meant to help you heal?
In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with licensed therapist and coach Chris Page, LCSW, to unpack a topic that is rarely discussed openly: medical and iatrogenic trauma.
With over 35 years of experience — and powerful lived experience as a survivor of pharmaceutical injury — Chris speaks not just as a clinician, but as what he calls a “wounded healer.”
Together, they explore what happens when treatment causes harm… and why so many patients are misdiagnosed, dismissed, or caught in a dangerous cycle of worsening symptoms.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• What iatrogenic injury really means — and why it’s often overlooked
• How medication side effects can mimic psychiatric illness and lead to misdiagnosis
• What akathisia is — and why it can be life-threatening yet misunderstood
• Why medical trauma can erode trust and social support
• How early life trauma and nervous system dysregulation show up as chronic physical illness
• The difference between “top-down” talk therapy and “bottom-up” somatic healing
• Why hope and neuroplasticity are central to recovery
Chris shares his harrowing experience of surviving chronic akathisia for over three years — pacing 12–14 hours a day, battling intense suicidal ideation, and navigating a medical system that didn’t recognize his crisis.
But this episode is not just about suffering.
It’s about survival.
It’s about nervous system healing.
It’s about understanding that symptoms often make sense — even when they’re misunderstood.
And most importantly, it’s about hope.
If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.
For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395.
Connect with Chris Paige:
https://www.chrispaigelcsw.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063867851444#
https://www.instagram.com/frehley13
Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates
","author_name":"Elena Borrelli"}