JaimeS
Senior Member
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Hey guys, I found a book about to come out called
Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: an introduction for patients and caregivers
Didn't see it anyplace else, so I figured I would post the link here. This is the first thing I've posted that isn't a study, so I hope I'm in the right place.
Recommends graded exercise therapy, for one thing.
Regarding depression, Dr. Ali is more circumspect. He says it is a common comorbidity, but that the connection is 'controversial', and even knows that PWME may need far lower doses of anti-depressants than the general population. "In some cases, CFS sufferers can't tolerate the usual doses...."
He does state that PWCFS are far more likely to be depressed than people with other illnesses. Any idea where he could be getting that impression? The only studies I've seen that compare one illness to another re: depression incidence showed no increased correlation. Of course, he could be talking out of his derriere, as so many do!
The tone is generally sympathetic: he makes some comments that with the way that PWCFS get indifferent or uninformed clinical care and the accompanying difficulties, depression may develop reactively.
There are a few comments about differences between CFS and clinical depression; for example, cortisol reaction is lower in CFS patients.
Finally, there is a discussion about episodes of anxiety and/or depression preceding onset. I have wondered about this myself. During our (very controversial) discussion about whether we were experiencing depression or anxiety as part of our ME/CFS picture, a lot of people said "at one time, but not now" and a handful of people stated that they had experienced anxious and/or depressive symptoms that were very atypical for them right around onset, but that these had tapered off. I had never seen this cited before this book, though I feel like practically any biopsychosocial understanding of ME has poisoned the well to the point that I view any discussion of psychology as it relates to this illness with the most gimlet of eyes (non-English speakers: VERY suspiciously!)
Overall the book is 'all right', but I wonder if it's tempered with the understanding that it's geared towards patients and their families. It seems to be built on the same psychosocial model as its forebearers.
-J
Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: an introduction for patients and caregivers
Didn't see it anyplace else, so I figured I would post the link here. This is the first thing I've posted that isn't a study, so I hope I'm in the right place.
Recommends graded exercise therapy, for one thing.
Regarding depression, Dr. Ali is more circumspect. He says it is a common comorbidity, but that the connection is 'controversial', and even knows that PWME may need far lower doses of anti-depressants than the general population. "In some cases, CFS sufferers can't tolerate the usual doses...."
He does state that PWCFS are far more likely to be depressed than people with other illnesses. Any idea where he could be getting that impression? The only studies I've seen that compare one illness to another re: depression incidence showed no increased correlation. Of course, he could be talking out of his derriere, as so many do!
The tone is generally sympathetic: he makes some comments that with the way that PWCFS get indifferent or uninformed clinical care and the accompanying difficulties, depression may develop reactively.
There are a few comments about differences between CFS and clinical depression; for example, cortisol reaction is lower in CFS patients.
Finally, there is a discussion about episodes of anxiety and/or depression preceding onset. I have wondered about this myself. During our (very controversial) discussion about whether we were experiencing depression or anxiety as part of our ME/CFS picture, a lot of people said "at one time, but not now" and a handful of people stated that they had experienced anxious and/or depressive symptoms that were very atypical for them right around onset, but that these had tapered off. I had never seen this cited before this book, though I feel like practically any biopsychosocial understanding of ME has poisoned the well to the point that I view any discussion of psychology as it relates to this illness with the most gimlet of eyes (non-English speakers: VERY suspiciously!)
Overall the book is 'all right', but I wonder if it's tempered with the understanding that it's geared towards patients and their families. It seems to be built on the same psychosocial model as its forebearers.
-J
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