Yuppie Flu

Yuppie Flu is a derogatory name for chronic fatigue syndrome that implies it is simply a case of burnout. It was used from the 1980s onwards, particularly following publication of an article in Newsweek that referred to it as the "yuppie flu" in print, describing it as "a fashionable form of hypochondria". "Yuppie" is a term that came into use in the early 1980s and referred to "Young and upwardly-Mobile Professionals", who were young, high-earning city dwellers.

The accusation that the disease only affected affluent, middle-class yuppies was disputed in an earlier piece by Hillary Johnson in 1987 in Rolling Stone magazine, referring to "yuppie disease".

There is an Italian music band called Yuppie Flu.

Examples of use

 * 1990, Chronic fatigue syndrome


 * 1990, 'Yuppie flu' tied to immune system Blood test may identify chronic fatigue syndrome


 * 1994, Chronic fatigue syndrome: have flawed assumptions been derived from treatment-based studies?


 * 2007, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome No Longer Seen as 'Yuppie Flu'


 * 2008, Top 10 'Yuppie' Health Conditions


 * 2009, "Yuppie Flu" Isn't Just in the Head: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to Virus


 * 2009, Getting over 'yuppie flu'


 * 2010, The reality of living with 'Yuppie Flu' - chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)


 * 2012, ‘ME is no yuppie flu and people with the condition must receive help’, Editor’s comment, Gloucestershire Echo


 * 2015, Proof at last that 'yuppie flu' is a real illness: Study finds chronic fatigue commonly seen among professionals is not just in the mind


 * 2015, Chronic fatigue breakthrough offers hope for millions
 * 2015, ‘Yuppie flu’ link to genes
 * 2016, The Sun prints Action for M.E.’s letter criticising ‘yuppie flu’ headline
 * 2017, The Telegraph - Yuppie flu - an inflammatory disease which blood test could easily diagnose, say scientists

Learn more

 * Wikipedia - Chronic fatigue syndrome - controversy