No, I'm not being naive. As mentioned before, the devil (or God) is in the details. I try to look into the details of things before I make a conclusion and my perspective comes from not only the patient side but also as someone with clinical/ research/ publication experience. Just because someone is a psychologist doesn't make them an enemy -- Lenny Jason and Ellen Goudsmit are both psychologist who have done good work in this field as well as Eleanor Stein who is a psychiatrist....
For those not aware, all three have publicly disclosed that they are patients.
I would suggest people read Fred Friedberg's work or watch his presentation at NIH last year, if they are able, to get a better flavor of where he stands. He also has worked with the other aforementioned people.
http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/happenings/sb_medicine/professor-receives-nih-grant-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
Professor Receives NIH Grant for CFS
Fred Friedberg, Research Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist in the
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, through the State University of New York Research Foundation, received a $600,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue testing a home-based self management program for people with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
The NIH grant runs for two years, effective until the end of August 2013. In 2008 Friedberg, principal investigator, received an initial one-year $100,000 NIH grant to launch the home-based self management program for chronic fatigue and CFS patients, with the expectation of learning how to help patients more effectively manage their conditions.
“There are no effective and established medical treatments for these illnesses, and the behavioral program is intended to help patients function and feel better,” said Friedberg, pointing out that the causes of chronic fatigue and CFS are still unknown.
CFS remains a controversial illness. Yet, the NIH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have designated CFS as an important public health issue and recognize the need to better define, diagnose, and treat the illness. For more on CFS, see this
CDC link.
“Cognitive-behavioral treatment, a type of stress management training combined with low-level exercise, has shown promise to help people with CFS cope better and lessen illness severity,” said Friedberg. “This ongoing study tests a home-based version of cognitive-behavioral treatment that is based on a self-help model of illness management. We also want to see if this type of intervention saves health care costs, an important issue because of the ever increasing expenditures for health care.”
The self-help program involves lifestyle change and stress reduction techniques, including graduated exercise, relaxation, pacing techniques, cognitive coping skills, low effort pleasant activities, and social support. All of the treatment components, individually and in combination, may help patients with CFS.
Recruitment of additional patients, who must be fatigued for at least six months, is underway. The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science will spearhead the analysis of the study’s entire findings.
For individuals interested in the study and participating, please call Friedberg at (631) 632-8252.
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http://www.apa.org/convention09
American Psychological Association 2009 Annual Convention, Toronto:
Workshop Friday, August 7
https://cyberstore1.apa.org/cyb/cli/casinterface1/ceworkshops/index.cfm?action=view&confday=3
Back by popular demand
#127: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment
Course Level: Introductory
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are controversial and
poorly understood illnesses without clearly defined causes or well-established
treatments. In this INTRODUCTORY workshop, participants will learn about
(a) illness controversies and theories of causation; (b) practical methods of
psychological, behavioral, and community assessment; and (c) effective,
individualized treatment strategies. Using our mind/body approach, consisting of
cognitive, behavioral, and experiential interventions, clinicians can offer
realistic hope for substantial improvement to these patients.
This workshop is designed to help you:
1. Utilize basic knowledge about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia
(FM);
2. Describe theories of causation in CFS and FM;
3. Assess and differentially diagnose CFS/FM, depression, and anxiety disorder
in the clinical setting;
4. Describe through experiential exercises how to recognize and provide feedback
to a client with a CFS or FM presentation;
5. Assess the interactions between coping skills, activity management, and
potential improvements in CFS and FM;
6. Identify lifestyle and stress factors related to these illnesses in order to
set up targets for clinical intervention; and
7. Formulate a cognitive-behavioral improvement approach to the treatment of CFS
and FM.
Leader(s): Fred Friedberg, PhD, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY;
Leonard A. Jason, PhD, DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Enrollment Limit: 40
CE Credits: 7
Time: 8a-3:50p
Member Non-Member
Advance $210.00 $245.00
Regular $245.00 $315.00
Topic Area(s): 32 Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine, 8
Clinical/Counseling/Consulting
