Product Description

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as M.E) is an illness characterized by the symptom of chronic and severe fatigue, in the absence of an alternative medical condition. It has been the subject of intense media debate over recent years. Such interest has been partially due to the polarization of professional and scientific opinion concerning the topic - what is it, and what causes it? Chonic Fatigue and its syndromes presents an objective and comprehensive review of the problem of chronic fatigue, mixing medical, psychological, social, and historical perspectives. It begins by considering the nature of fatigue, and its physical and psychological origins. The book then introduces the subject of CFS, tracing its historical origins, before considering the epidemiology, and the various aetiological theories for modern forms of the condition - viral, immunological, psychologica, psychiatric, and neurological. The book concludes with a clinical section that gives a step by step guide to the assessment and treatment of CFS. Throughout, the authors argue that chronic fatigue and its various syndromes cannot easily be pigeonholed into either physical or psychological categories, and that the ambiguous nature of the illness actually provides us with a valuable chance to explore contemporary attitutes to sickness and health, one not offered by better defined or classified disorders.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1492101 in Books
• Published on: 1998-11-01
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.83 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Review
`I think it is one of the most remarkable texts that I have read on any subject. The knowledge and the industry are beyond belief... This is unquestionable the most authoritative, the most extensively researched and the most detailed account of fatigue in general and the CFS in particular that has ever been published. The authors are to be congratulated on providing an extremely well balanced text which is a tribute to their extensive scientific knowledge and their widespread experience of CFS.' Sir Richard Bayliss

`This is unquestionably the most authoritative, the most extensively researched and the most detailed account of fatigue in general and of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in particular that has ever been published. It is indeed a truly scholarly work comprising some 400 pages. Each chapter is summarized with its conclusions and followed by an extensive list of references, sometimes as many as 200 or more. The authors are to be congratulated on providing an extremely well balanced text which is a tribute to their extensive scientific knowledge and to their widespread experience of CFS.' R.I.S. Bayliss, MD, FRCP

`a well-written, comprehensive and authoritative account of the historical, social, medical and psychological perspective of CFS in particular.....The book should be seen as the most definitive version of the CFS story so far and, ideally, efforts should now be focused on the treatment modalitites outline in the excellent final chapters rather than wasted in polemic' Doctor

`Studying CFS gives the authors a wonderful opportunity to chronicle the way in which medicine and society have developed over the past 150 years...full of interest, witticisms and apposite phrases. Those with an interest in CFS in particular, or medicine in general, will enjoy learning from their account of the interrelationship between fatigue, anxiety, stress and depression.' The Times May 7/98

`'This comprehensive book will help interested physicians and other professionals to take a broad look at the evidence.The authors, clinically experienced in dealing wtih chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), take a balanced look at its biopsychosocial foundations...it is comprehensive with many recent references, and it takes a critical approach to the literature...I found this book helpful in my clinical practice. It will appeal to all physicians and professionals who treat patients suffering from chronic fatigue.'' Brian Feldman, Annals of the royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada vol.32, no.1, Feb.1999

From the Publisher
10 halftones, 10 line figures, tables

About the Author
Simon Wessely is at King's College School of Medicine, London. Matthew Hotopf is at Institute of Psychiatry, London.