Duncan: @Scarecrow, psychs don't belong examining ME.
Scarecrow: "Why not? I mean I could name a few who I wish hadn't bothered but in principle, why shouldn't a psychiatrist study ME. Should they also not study, say, bipolar disorder?"
Psychiatrists should not study ME because it is not a psychological disorder, any more than cancer or TB or syphilis are.
I also believe that due to the nature of psychology, i.e. it is opinion-centric, and seemingly somehow above the pedestrian rules of Science, that it can indulge self-serving interpretations - not to mention those of the State, at times. I have seen this happen for Lyme theory and for ME/CFS theory and in my personal interactions.
So I don't trust them and I don't trust the discipline.
Are there exceptions? Sure. You and I can name a couple. But they are exceptions.
@Sasha, yes there are intelligent psychs. But in my experience I find far too many embrace their discipline before they do the truth.
Duncan: @@Sasha, behavior assessment is necessary with animals. With humans, not so much. Besides, it's kinda like objectifying or profiling - both of which I find repugnant.
Sasha: "But we are animals - and the fact that all animals show this reaction to high levels of cytokines helps establish sickness behaviour as a biologically driven behavior, not a psychological or cultural one.
I don't understand your comment about objectifying and profiling."
@Sasha, by its very nature the concept of sickness behavior is one step further from the individual being studied. Humans to a degree obviate the need for this concept. Worse, the objectifying nature of it allows its adherents to distance themselves from the human quality, e.g. feedback, person-to-person direct communication. It reduces humans to uncommunicative animals. Yes, we ARE animals, but we can provide direct input into medical models that other animals cannot. Sickness behavior allows the minimalization of dialogue. It makes patient reporting secondary to whatever the observer decides to focus on.
ETA: Clearly I still haven't got this copy and paste function down yet, despite
@Simon and
@lansbergen attempts at help. Sorry, It's late.