Authors of our Own Misfortune? The Problems with Psychogenic Explanations for Physical Illnesses

Authors of our Own Misfortune? The Problems with Psychogenic Explanations for Physical Illnesses is a book written by Angela Kennedy published in 2012 by the Village Digital Press. It sets out the various flaws of scientific reasoning in psychogenic explanations for physical illnesses, with detailed discussion of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in particular.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.