The Mental Health Movement: Persecution of Patients?

'''The Mental Health Movement: Persecution of Patients? A consideration of the role of Simon Wessely and other members of the Wessely school in the perception of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the UK''' is a report written by Professor Malcolm Hooper that documents the ethical issues, injustice and obstacles faced by people with ME/CFS in the United Kingdom. The Mental Health Movement describes how the neurological illness myalgic encephalomyelitis has been incorrectly portrayed as a mental health condition, and the resulting effects on patients' health care, restrictions or denial of access to social security (for example, disability benefits), medical neglect and medical abuse, and forced treatment using controversial therapies.

Despite the title, The Mental Health Movement does not look at health care provision or policies in mental health services; it describes the psychologisation of patients with the chronic illness myalgic encephalomyelitis, and how the harm inflicted on patients by inappropriate treatment, and the damaging effects of a "behaviorist" approach being applied to an incurable illness.

Description
The Mental Health Movement describes the widespread influence of a small group of British psychiatrists on many politics and guides mentioning myalgic encephalomyelitis, including those by the NHS, the government, political, reports private medical insurance companies, medical journals, the British media and even mentioning the Official Secrets Act. One example is psychiatrist Simon Wessely providing his personal collection of research studies to the "expert" team tasked with deciding the "best available" evidence about the assessment and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis for the NICE guidelines, while also acting in the role of "medical advisor" to the same group. The resulting NICE treatment guidelines followed Simon Wessely's views, and included the controversial treatments of graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Funding
No funding was sought for this report.

Results
The Mental Health Movement: Persecution of Patients? was largely ignored.

Investigators

 * Malcolm Hooper

Learn more

 * THE MENTAL HEALTH MOVEMENT: PERSECUTION OF PATIENTS? A consideration of the role of Professor Simon Wessely and other members of the "Wessely School" in the perception of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the UK. Background Briefing for the House of Commons Select Health Committee