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A Beginner's Guide to ME/CFS
This little book is a direct challenge to the way people who have ME/CFS are portrayed in the media and treated by most of the medical profession. The most damaging 'false illness belief' about ME/CFS is that it is a psychiatric condition; as a fully qualified psychotherapist who has also been diagnosed with ME, Nancy believes that all sufferers actually have a multi-system, complex disorder (with a range of measurable biomarkers) which requires above all that they minimize physical exertion. This book includes information about the latest scientific developments and how to address the blood flow problems which, according to the researches of Dr. L. O. Simpson, can explain the nature of ME patients' symptoms.
The author believes that the worsening prognosis for people who have ME/CFS reported in recent years is not in the nature of this illness, but is being caused by inappropriate treatment. She urges a return to the practices of the earliest researchers, who noted that the best outcome occurred in those patients who had a period of enforced rest
from the earliest stages.
Carers take note - it is your help which can keep open the possibility for a significant degree of recovery!
The author believes that the worsening prognosis for people who have ME/CFS reported in recent years is not in the nature of this illness, but is being caused by inappropriate treatment. She urges a return to the practices of the earliest researchers, who noted that the best outcome occurred in those patients who had a period of enforced rest
from the earliest stages.
Carers take note - it is your help which can keep open the possibility for a significant degree of recovery!
- GenresHealth
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2012
4 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 25, 2019
Read this based on the number of stars it had received. It is helpful but very short with a fair amount of repetition. I also found myself resenting the author’s insistence that she knows what sort of person the reader was before they were diagnosed. “A go-getter who always went the extra mile and loved keeping fit”. What if you weren’t? What if you’d not been particularly sporty?
Also the insistence that you only have ME if you are at the severe end of the spectrum. Does that mean the rest of us are suffering from the very psychiatric disorder that the book is attempting to disprove?
I went in to the book eager for answers and support but came away feeling “othered”. I’m sure that isn’t the intent, and maybe it was just my perception of it, but just wanted to offer a slight word of caution to others newly diagnosed.
Also the insistence that you only have ME if you are at the severe end of the spectrum. Does that mean the rest of us are suffering from the very psychiatric disorder that the book is attempting to disprove?
I went in to the book eager for answers and support but came away feeling “othered”. I’m sure that isn’t the intent, and maybe it was just my perception of it, but just wanted to offer a slight word of caution to others newly diagnosed.
December 17, 2018
Highly Recommend
This book is worth it's weight in gold. I am a long time, very knowledgeable patient and advocate and I would recommend every M.E. patient to heed the advice about rest and request family and friends (that care) to read this book, as well as medical professionals and caregivers involved in their care. It is easy enough to read to do so. It drives home the most important factor in survival of M.E. and possible improvement, which is rest and lying down, and never pushing through. It is very clear and easy to understand. I look very forward to Nancy's next book.
This book is worth it's weight in gold. I am a long time, very knowledgeable patient and advocate and I would recommend every M.E. patient to heed the advice about rest and request family and friends (that care) to read this book, as well as medical professionals and caregivers involved in their care. It is easy enough to read to do so. It drives home the most important factor in survival of M.E. and possible improvement, which is rest and lying down, and never pushing through. It is very clear and easy to understand. I look very forward to Nancy's next book.
August 19, 2024
Good introduction
This short book gives a good overview of what to do when you have ME/CFS, based on particular research up to its publication. The suggestions are very specific. They rule out CBT and GET as appropriate therapies for patients and provide references for their reasoning. Many important resources are both cited and included in the book. There are minimal instructions for applying for benefits or accommodating for severe effects of ME/CFS, but additional resources and points of information are provided. Overall, a good book for new patients with ME/CFS and their carers.
This short book gives a good overview of what to do when you have ME/CFS, based on particular research up to its publication. The suggestions are very specific. They rule out CBT and GET as appropriate therapies for patients and provide references for their reasoning. Many important resources are both cited and included in the book. There are minimal instructions for applying for benefits or accommodating for severe effects of ME/CFS, but additional resources and points of information are provided. Overall, a good book for new patients with ME/CFS and their carers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews