Antler Clinic

03/07/2025

It’s a lot right now. For so many of us, the weight of everything—personal struggles, systemic violence, just existing in this body and in this world—feels unbearable some days.

If you need someone to talk to, these warm lines offer support without the risk of police involvement. They’re community-centered, culturally affirming, and grounded in real care.

Save this, share it, and check out even more resources at InclusiveTherapists.com/crisis. You’re not alone in this.

02/25/2025

Even though I’d experienced widespread pain in various parts of my body from as young as eight years old, it wasn’t until I was at the Mayo Clinic for a spinal CSF leak at the age of 32 that I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). This delay occurred despite my attending dozens—if not hundreds—of medical appointments over the years for a myriad of unexplained symptoms, nearly all of which can now be traced back to the fact that I have a connective tissue disorder.

So, what did I do wrong?

Unless simply existing as a woman counts as a mistake, then absolutely nothing.

The unfortunate reality is that women and BIPOC are disproportionately subjected to medical neglect and discrimination. Research confirms what many of us already know from personal experience: we are more likely to be dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told our symptoms are “just anxiety.” Instead of receiving necessary medical care, we are often gaslit, turned away, or left to suffer without answers.

This is not a new problem. It has been happening for centuries, and systemic change is slow. But while we may not be able to fix the entire system overnight, there are things we can do to minimize harm and advocate for ourselves in medical settings:

1️⃣ Document Everything – Keep detailed records of your symptoms, test results, and previous medical visits. Having a paper trail makes it harder for providers to dismiss your concerns. GuavaHealth.com is a great free app for integrating medical records and tracking symptoms.

2️⃣ Bring an Advocate – A trusted friend, family member, or patient advocate can help reinforce your concerns and push for answers when you’re being ignored. Research actually supports this making a difference in the care patients receive.

3️⃣ Ask About Differential Diagnosis – A provider should have an idea of alternative diagnoses that might explain your symptoms beyond anxiety or whatever else they suggest it is. Ask them to explain their differential diagnosis and how they ruled out the other potential causes for your symptoms.

4️⃣ Don’t Be Afraid to Seek a Second (or Third) Opinion – If a provider dismisses you, keep looking.

Dr. Caroline Antler, PhD, MS, HSP

02/18/2025

I never knew what ableism was—until I faced blatant disability discrimination during my residency that nearly derailed my entire career. But looking back, I had been experiencing it my entire life without having a name for it.

Ableism is everywhere, often unnoticed by those who aren’t affected. It shapes healthcare, workplaces, public spaces, and everyday interactions. In this post, I define ableism, share examples, and explore what we can do to challenge it.

The first step? Awareness. The more we talk about ableism, the more people will recognize it—and the closer we get to dismantling it.

Dr. Caroline Antler, PhD, MS, HSP

02/10/2025

Disabled and chronically ill people cannot simply meditate, breathe, or yoga our way to health.

Sure, these practices might help some people in some ways—but they are not cures. And for some of us, they can even be dangerous.

I used to be an avid meditator, regularly doing 45-minute sessions. Then I developed a spinal CSF leak. Suddenly, the very tools that were once soothing—breathing exercises and meditation—became a threat. My heart rate and blood pressure would drop rapidly, and I’d start losing consciousness. With low intracranial pressure, keeping my BP elevated was one of the only things preventing my brain from sinking further into my skull.

Yet, too often, patients are told to try meditation, breathing exercises, or increased activity without any real consideration of how these interventions might impact their specific condition. What helps one person heal might send another into a health crisis.

Here’s the truth: Sometimes, our nervous system and brain misfire, sending the wrong signals. But on the whole, you know your body best. Listen to it. Advocate for what you need. And remember—just because something works for someone else doesn’t mean it has to work for you. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re different, and that’s okay.

02/10/2025

Did you know that in 2009, over 10,000 brain studies costing upwards of one billion dollars were effectively disproven by a frozen dead salmon and an fMRI machine?

In a now-famous study, Bennett et al. placed a frozen salmon in an fMRI machine. Shockingly, the scan produced significant results suggesting the fish had brain activity. But, of course, the salmon was very much dead—so how could it possibly be thinking?

The culprit? The multiple comparisons problem. When researchers run enough analyses, some will inevitably show significance by chance alone. There are statistical corrections to prevent this, but at the time, most fMRI studies weren’t using them. As a result, for decades, researchers had been publishing “significant” findings based on flawed methods—meaning much of what we thought we knew about brain activity could be wrong.

This frozen fish didn’t just challenge a few studies; it called into question decades of neuroscience research. And yet, despite the implications, many physicians and scientists still don’t know about this study. Mass retractions never happened, and while some papers were corrected, the damage had already been done.

So what does this mean? It means we should be skeptical of fMRI studies, even though they remain one of the only tools we have to study brain activity. The reality is, medical science—especially brain science—is still shockingly primitive. And sometimes, it takes a dead fish to prove just how much we still don’t know. 🐟

So the next time your provider tries to argue they know everything about your condition, maybe remind them about this little dead fish and just how little we know about the brain and body.

02/02/2025

01/29/2025

Living with chronic illness or disability isn’t just a medical experience—it’s an ongoing form of trauma. Facing medical gaslighting, loss of independence, endless appointments, and daily uncertainty can take a deep emotional toll.

Your experiences are real, and your pain—both physical and emotional—deserves to be acknowledged. At Antler Clinic, we provide trauma-informed care that validates your struggles and helps you navigate the complex reality of chronic illness and disability.

✨ You’re not alone. You deserve support.

Visit antlerclinic.com to learn more. 💙

01/28/2025

🌙 Sleep and Chronic Pain: A Tough Combo 🛌💤

When you live with chronic pain, getting a good night’s sleep can feel impossible. Pain interrupts rest, and lack of sleep makes pain harder to manage—a frustrating cycle.

Dr. Antler spent years doing sleep research at Northwestern University and was more recently involved in sleep studies for NASA at Rush University Medical Center. She also understands what it is like to have trouble sleeping due to pain or symptoms and she recognizes that standard sleep advice often doesn't work for those dealing with chronic pain. Because of this, she is passionate about improving sleep for disabled/chronically ill individuals. She created this infographic with some brief tips for how to improve sleep when you have chronic pain. 🌿

✨ Remember: You deserve rest, and we're here to help.

You can download the full version here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_tSUbLiymJEy-7apCRxjBpJmW_qTnfYJ/view?usp=drive_link

01/21/2025

If you’re struggling, you’re deeply valued and not alone.

See warmlines that don’t call the po po, steps to take if you or a loved one are in crisis & more: inclusivetherapists.com/crisis

We will move thru this together ❤️‍🔥 We're wrapping our dear Undocu & TGNB fam in extra love and solidarity.

This is the most up-to-date version, with many more resources on our website. Please feel free to share.

Kindly note that StrongHearts center Indigenous/Native Americans & Alaska Natives experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. Please be mindful and respectful of their capacity and focus. 🌿

In solidarity for collective liberation & healing ❤️‍🔥

Alt text contains detailed descriptions.

01/20/2025

Many people think a diagnosis is a bad thing, but when you’ve been suffering for years there’s nothing worse than hearing “good news! Your test results were normal.”

Diagnosis might seem scary, and it can definitely come with grief, but it also often comes with answers, community, a treatment plan, and validation of unexplained suffering. A diagnosis is worth celebrating. But it’s also when the hard work of accepting what that diagnosis means for your life begins.

If you are undiagnosed or were recently diagnosed with a health condition, please make sure to seek out support. There are many organizations dedicated to various rare diseases and even patient-led Facebook groups can be a great resource for information and referrals. Note that most Facebook groups and even disease organizations recognize that many conditions are often missed in practice which means many patients go undiagnosed. As a result, these groups and organizations generally welcome members who simply suspect they have a condition or who want to learn more. Don’t be afraid to join these communities! They can be a lifeline in the midst of a very difficult life circumstance.



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Image with Antler Clinic logo at top with text underneath that states: When you've been fighting for recognition of your symptoms for years a diagnosis can be cause for celebration.