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Chapter
2: Self Evaluation
Now it's time to start your
detective work by filling out the general health questionnaire.
It's similar to the one I use in my office for my own
patients. It not only gives me insight into what may
be going on with them but also allows them to become
familiar with my approach.
These are somewhat different
from the usual physician questions because they focus
on conditions that are bodywide and are not restricted
to the individual systems (e.g., cardiovascular or respiratory).
You'll be the only one who will read your answers, and,
in order to get to the root of your health problems,
it's essential for you to be completely honest. You should
copy these pages and put them in your journal. You can
also download them from my website (drcass.com).
Fill out the entire questionnaire.
It's important to do all the sections, even if you think
they don't apply to you. You'll notice that some symptoms
are involved in several imbalances.
General
Health Questionnaire
In each of the following
sections, put a checkmark next to the symptoms that apply
to you:
Now
let's look at your results
If you've noted three
or more symptoms in a category, you can go to the appropriate
chapter for more information. It will give you some more
clues about the direction you'll need to take to regain
your health. Then you will create your action plan based
on what you've discovered. This will include food, supplements,
activities, and further investigation, including lab
tests.
In the entries for Week
2 in your Wellness Journal, make a note of the imbalances
you are further investigating. Here are topics to address:
1. Category or categories
in which I checked three items or more on the questionnaire:
_______________________________
2. After reading the relevant
chapters, these are my insights and thoughts: ___________________________________
3. Based on my newfound
information and my intuition, my major imbalance is:
_____________________
4. The reasons I think
this are: ____________________________
Let's
return to Kate and Mira
Kate's questionnaire had
high scores in all the hormone categories--thyroid (overweight,
tired, and cold), adrenal (tired, dizzy when she stood
up suddenly), and sex hormones (PMS). She noticed that
she might have a brain chemistry imbalance as well, which
would explain her low moods. She recorded all this information
and then read up on the relevant sections.
Her educated guess for
her likeliest problem was hypothyroidism. I agreed. In
fact, just her dependence on her morning espresso was
a tip-off. Women with low thyroid function have particular
trouble getting going in the morning and often use coffee
as a wake-me-up.
Mira had already noticed
her unbalanced diet. Then, and after reading the material
on supplements, we added more essential fatty acids in
the form of fish and fish oil capsules. Her questionnaire
showed that brain chemistry (low moods and sleep problems)
and hormones (sleep problems, irregular periods, and
dry skin and hair) were her main issues.
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