General practitioners' perceptions of chronic fatigue syndrome and beliefs about its management, compared with irritable bowel syndrome: qualitative study
Although I am perhaps repeating what others have already said, I feel
compelled to add my voice to those who have already criticised Barrington
(Fred?) Johnson's rapid response.
I have had ME for almost 20 years and the illness has totally
destroyed my life. I have seen numerous doctors, and tried many treatments
over the years (including exercise) none of which have helped. In short, I
am absolutely desperate and would try almost anything to get better.
I find it absolutely astonishing, and an utter disgrace, that someone
who has never met me or thousands of other ME sufferers around the world,
is happy on the basis of no evidence whatsoever, to lump us all together,
and label us as workshy malingerers. What breathtaking arrogance.
And what is this mysterious "secondary gain" that Dr Johnson talks
about? Has he I wonder ever faced the stress of dealing with hard nosed
insurance companies, or our kafkaesque benefits system? The reality is
that many ME sufferers who are unable to work are living in abject
poverty, often shunned by disbelieving family and former friends.
I can only hope that Dr Johnson works privately, and is not an NHS
employee. I would hate to think that taxpayers' money was being wasted
lining the pockets of an individual who clearly has so much contempt for
the very people he is paid to care for.
Sadly, I strongly suspect that the only thing that separates Dr
Johnson from many of the self-styled ME experts in this country (almost
all of whom are psychiatrists) is that he is prepared to express his views
honestly. Psychiatrists specialising in ME research are notorious for
hiding their true opinions behind a veil of obfuscation and psychobabble.
The involvement of psychiatrists in ME research and treatment over
the past 15 years has been an utter disaster. They wilfully refuse to
acknowledge the large body of evidence suggesting that ME is primarily a
physical illness, and the only "treatments" they have come up with are
Graduated Exercise (GET) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
There is a vast amount of anecdotal evidence gathered by the main ME
charities that suggests GET can actually make many patients worse,
especially if they receive the treatment in the early stages of their
illness. And as for CBT, am I alone in regarding this attempt by
psychiatrists to medicalise patients' opinions (or "beliefs") as slightly
sinister, even stalinist?
Rapid Response:
Re: Medical Correctness
Although I am perhaps repeating what others have already said, I feel
compelled to add my voice to those who have already criticised Barrington
(Fred?) Johnson's rapid response.
I have had ME for almost 20 years and the illness has totally
destroyed my life. I have seen numerous doctors, and tried many treatments
over the years (including exercise) none of which have helped. In short, I
am absolutely desperate and would try almost anything to get better.
I find it absolutely astonishing, and an utter disgrace, that someone
who has never met me or thousands of other ME sufferers around the world,
is happy on the basis of no evidence whatsoever, to lump us all together,
and label us as workshy malingerers. What breathtaking arrogance.
And what is this mysterious "secondary gain" that Dr Johnson talks
about? Has he I wonder ever faced the stress of dealing with hard nosed
insurance companies, or our kafkaesque benefits system? The reality is
that many ME sufferers who are unable to work are living in abject
poverty, often shunned by disbelieving family and former friends.
I can only hope that Dr Johnson works privately, and is not an NHS
employee. I would hate to think that taxpayers' money was being wasted
lining the pockets of an individual who clearly has so much contempt for
the very people he is paid to care for.
Sadly, I strongly suspect that the only thing that separates Dr
Johnson from many of the self-styled ME experts in this country (almost
all of whom are psychiatrists) is that he is prepared to express his views
honestly. Psychiatrists specialising in ME research are notorious for
hiding their true opinions behind a veil of obfuscation and psychobabble.
The involvement of psychiatrists in ME research and treatment over
the past 15 years has been an utter disaster. They wilfully refuse to
acknowledge the large body of evidence suggesting that ME is primarily a
physical illness, and the only "treatments" they have come up with are
Graduated Exercise (GET) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
There is a vast amount of anecdotal evidence gathered by the main ME
charities that suggests GET can actually make many patients worse,
especially if they receive the treatment in the early stages of their
illness. And as for CBT, am I alone in regarding this attempt by
psychiatrists to medicalise patients' opinions (or "beliefs") as slightly
sinister, even stalinist?
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests