Patients with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis

Comment in: Patients with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. [BMJ. 1995]

 

EDITOR,-Myalgic encephalomyelitis is most commonly related to an underlying psychological or psychiatric disturbance.’2 Shonagh Scott and colleagues report that when general practitioners deal with symptoms consistent with those of myalgic encephalomyelitis their attitude is likely to be influenced by the patient’s perception, expectations, and social class.’ It is not uncommon for patients to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis themselves before they seek a consultation; this can lead to disruption of the doctor-patient relationship, unsatisfactory consultations, and possibly failure to diagnose any underlying pathological process. We report on a patient with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis in whom hypopituitarism was diagnosed only after a protracted period

You can read the full comment here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2550388/pdf/bmj00603-0061a.pdf

Comment on:

Population based study of fatigue and psychological distress. [BMJ. 1994]

Professional and popular views of chronic fatigue syndrome. [BMJ. 1994]

 

Source: Hurel SJ, Abuiasha B, Baylis PH, Harris PE. Patients with a self diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis. BMJ. 1995 Jul 29;311(7000):329. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2550388/pdf/bmj00603-0061a.pdf (Full comment)