Simon Wessely

Sir Professor Simon Wessely is a British psychiatrist who has worked in the field of CFS/ME for at least two decades. His role in the field is highly controversial. Professor Wessely has written his personal story of his involvement in ME/CFS research.

Change of Name to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Professor Wessely is linked to the renaming in the 1990s of the disease from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

2012 John Maddox Prize
In November 2012 Professor Wessely was awarded the Maddox Prize by Sense About Science who stated "Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine at King's College London, was awarded the Prize for his ambition and courage in the field of ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and Gulf War syndrome, and the way he has dealt bravely with intimidation and harassment when speaking about his work and that of colleagues."

The awarding of the prize has been criticized by Professor Malcolm Hooper.

Accusation of "blocking research"
Dr Ian Gibson has criticised Professor Wessely's purely psychological approach to the disease.

Accusations of Abuse & Threats
Professor Wessely stated in summer 2011 that he had been the subject of abuse and threats of violence by patients objecting to his research.

Online Presence

 * PubMed
 * Twitter
 * Website