Comment in:
GPs’ attitudes to a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. Evidence supports presence of encephalitis. [BMJ. 1995]
GPs’ attitudes to a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. Sufferers continue to be misrepresented. [BMJ. 1995]
Interest in the symptom of tiredness has increased with the suggestion of a syndrome of prolonged fatigue caused by infection. The syndrome is referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, even though no evidence exists that sufferers have encephalitis or myelitis. Active support organisations encourage self diagnosis 1 and advise how to approach a general practitioner who “doesn’t believe in ME.”2 Problems in doctor-patient relationships may be a factor in persistent disability in fatigue states.3 We therefore used a case vignette method to examine how self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis could influence general practitioners.4
You can read the full article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2548881/pdf/bmj00581-0036.pdf
Source: Scott S, Deary I, Pelosi AJ. General practitioners’ attitudes to patients with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. BMJ. 1995 Feb 25;310(6978):508. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2548881/