Talk:Wessely school

2019-02-07T17:53:09Z

Esther:Is there a confusion between the words somatic and mental in this sentence?

Simon Wessely has referred to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and CFS/ME as "medically unexplained symptoms" on many occasions, meaning a somatic disorder (mental illness) ---> "meaning a somatic disorder" as far as I understand this sentence it should instead be "meaning a mental disorder", because that is what Wessely thinks right, that Me / cfs is a mental disorder, not a somatic physical illness?

Wessely school

2019-02-07T17:44:57Z

Esther:I changed Neuroantesthesia to Neurasthenia. I think that is the right meaning.

The '''Wessely school''' is an informal name used to refer to the school of thought followed by a group of researchers and clinicians who promote psychiatrist Prof. [[Simon Wessely]]'s [[biopsychosocial model]] (BPS) understanding [[ME/CFS]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmhealth/503/503we79.htm|title=Malcolm Hopper {{!}} House of Commons - Health - Written Evidence|last=<nowiki>The Committee Office, House of Commons</nowiki>|first=|date=|website=publications.parliament.uk|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14|authorlink=Malcolm Hooper|quote=Within their own discipline, Wessely School psychiatrists are regarded as mavericks. They are known colloquially as the "Wessely School" after their prime mover Professor Simon Wessely of Kings College Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatry (ref: Hansard [Lords] 19 December 1998:1013). Key members are Professors Michael Sharpe, now at Edinburgh, and Peter White of St Bartholomew's, London (who holds the "CFS/ME" reins at the Department for Work and Pensions, whose own forthcoming DWP Guidance about "CFS/ME" has been rejected as unfit for purpose by a coalition of ME charities). The work of the Wessely School on "CFS/ME" has been stringently criticised in the international literature for flawed methodology; for use of a heterogeneous patient population (studies using mixed populations are not useful unless researchers disaggregate their findings); for selective manipulation of others' work, claiming it supports their own findings when such is not the case; for their focus on the single symptom of "fatigue" whilst ignoring other significant signs and symptoms.}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200304/ldhansrd/vo040122/text/40122-12.htm|title=Lords Hansard text for 22 Jan 2004 (240122-12)|last=<nowiki>Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords, Westminster</nowiki>|first=|date=22 January 2004|website=publications.parliament.uk|others=[[Countess of Mar]]|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-15|quote=How has that situation arisen? A very small group of UK psychiatrists, known colloquially as the "Wessely school", led by Professor Simon Wessely of Kings College, claims to specialise in ME—a discrete term denoting a discrete disorder, but a term that it uses interchangeably with chronic fatigue or tiredness; with psychiatric states of ongoing fatigue; with its own interpretation of chronic fatigue syndrome; and even with neurasthenia—all different terms representing different conditions but which that group insists are synonymous. That is despite the fact that chronic fatigue has been shown time and again to be biologically different from ME.}}</ref> The Wessely school is based in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and is extremely influential,<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /> and research conducted by participants in the Wessley school has received millions <nowiki>[</nowiki>of British pounds] in UK funding for highly controversial clinical trials of [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT) and [[Graded Exercise Therapy]] (GET).<ref name=":0" />

The Wessely school is dominated by '''psychiatrists and psychologists''', but also includes some physiotherapists, occupational health clinicians, and a few general practitioners.<ref name=":3" />

==Beliefs and Evidence==

* Simon Wessely has referred to [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS) and [[CFS/ME]] as "[[medically unexplained symptoms]]" on many occasions, meaning a [[somatic]] disorder (mental illness)
* Simon Wessely has also referred to [[Neurasthenia|neurasthenia]] as the previous name for ME/CFS, and Wessely & Sharpe have suggested it is not a neurological disorder<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sharpe|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Sharpe|last2=Wessely|first2=Simon|author-link2=Simon Wessely|date=|title=New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry|url=http://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780199696758.001.0001/med-9780199696758-chapter-002008|language=en-gb|volume=|pages=1036–1043.|doi=10.1093/med/9780199696758.001.0001/med-9780199696758-chapter-002008|quote=Neurasthenia remains in the ICD-10 psychiatric classification as a fatigue syndrome unexplained by depressive or anxiety disorder, whilst the equivalent in DSM-IV is undifferentiated somatoform disorder. Myalgic encephalomyelitis or (encephalopathy) is in the neurological section of ICD-10 and is used by some to imply that the illness is neurological as opposed to a psychiatric one. Unfortunately the case descriptions under these different labels make it clear that they all reflect similar symptomatic presentations, adding to confusion.|via=|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2012|isbn=|location=|chapter=Chronic fatigue syndrome}}</ref>
* Simon Wessley wrote a textbook on behalf of the Institute of Psychiatry, a [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) collaborating center which started that [[Chronic fatigue syndrome|CFS]] was classed as a psychiatric illness; the [[World Health Organization|WHO]] released a letter in response stating that the WHO classified ME/CFS/[[Postviral fatigue syndrome|PVFS]] as only a [[Nervous system|neurological]] illness, and that the use of the logo did not imply that they had endorsed the views in it. The second edition of the book was altered to refer to it as only a neurological illness. <ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.erythos.com/gibsonenquiry/docs/me_inquiry_report.pdf|title=Inquiry into the status of CFS / M.E. and research into causes and treatment (The Gibson Report)|last=Group on Scientific Research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis|first=|date=November 2006|website=|format=PDF|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14|quote= ''Simon Wessely'' Professor Wessely is considered by many to be the leading expert on treating CFS/ME and the CFS/ME treatment centres set up by the NHS have been to his model. Many patient groups oppose these treatments because, although they are founded on the positive results of controlled clinical trials, they are psychologically based. There is great dispute over the findings and beliefs of Professor Simon Wessely. Many patient groups believe Wessely and his colleagues are responsible for maintaining the perception that ME is a psychosocial illness. Wessely gave up the research side of his work possibly due to extreme harassment he received from a very small fringe section of the ME community. There is conflicting evidence available regarding Wessely’s true opinions. The Group invited Wesseley to speak at an Oral Hearing, however he declined the offer and sent his colleagues Dr Trudie Chandler and Dr Anthony Cleare. The Group were disappointed not to have the opportunity to discuss this important issue with such a key figure. Wessely did not submit a written piece to the Inquiry, however in a letter to the Inquiry he did set out his belief that CFS/ME has a biological element which needs further research and investigation.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2004-01-22/debates/255ec089-dcad-453b-82aa-e28b91b5bed9/MyalgicEncephalomyelitis|title=Countess of Mar {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - Hansard|last=|first=|date=|website=hansard.parliament.uk|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/related_files/chronic-fatigue_disposition-comments-2015.pdf|title=Chronic Fatigue Disposition Comments|last=Dimmock|first=Mary|authorlink=Mary Dimmock|date=2015|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>

* Conducting biological or physical tests is actively avoided
* Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS/ME do not have an organic (meaning physical) illness<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|last=Maes|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Maes|last2=Twisk|first2=Frank NM|author-link2=Frank Twisk|date=2010-06-15|title=Chronic fatigue syndrome: Harvey and Wessely's (bio)psychosocial model versus a bio(psychosocial) model based on inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways|url=https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-8-35|journal=BMC Medicine|language=En|volume=8|issue=1|pages=|doi=10.1186/1741-7015-8-35|issn=1741-7015|pmc=2901228|pmid=20550693|quote=In the biopsychosocial view, the patient can 'recover' by adjusting dysfunctional beliefs and behaviour and reversing deconditioning, which are proposed to be the maintaining factors in ME/CFS. CBT is aimed at eliminating psychogenic maintaining factors, for example illness beliefs, unhelpful, anxiety-provoking thoughts and kinesiophobia ('fear of movement'); CBT challenges the negative cognitions and dysfunctional beliefs of the patients [3]. CBT is indissolubly attached with GET, a rehabilitative approach of graded increase in activity to address deconditioning [3].|via=}}</ref>

* [[Dysfunctional illness beliefs]] are believed to exist in patients with ME/CFS<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.virology.ws/2015/10/21/trial-by-error-i/|title=TRIAL BY ERROR: The Troubling Case of the PACE Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study|last=Tuller|first=David|authorlink=David Tuller|date=21 October 2015|website=www.virology.ws|at=PART ONR|language=en-US|type=Blog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14|quote=''''The PACE Trial, Deconstructed''' On Feb 17, 2011, at a press conference in London, psychiatrist Michael Sharpe and behavioral psychologist Trudie Chalder, members of the British medical and academic establishments, unveiled the results of a controversial clinical trial of more than 600 people diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. The findings were being published in The Lancet. As with many things about the illness, the news was expected to cause a stir. The study, known as the PACE trial, was the largest ever of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. The authors were among a prominent group of British mental health professionals who had long argued that the devastating symptoms were caused by severe physical deconditioning. They recognized that many people experienced an acute viral infection or other illness as an initial trigger. However, they believed that the syndrome was perpetuated by patients’ “unhelpful” and “dysfunctional” notion that they continued to suffer from an organic disease—and that exertion would make them worse. According to the experts’ theory, patients’ decision to remain sedentary for prolonged periods led to muscle atrophy and other negative systemic physiological impacts, which then caused even more fatigue and other symptoms in a self-perpetuating cycle.|ref=DeconstructingPACEPart1}}</ref><ref name=":7" />
* Fear of exercise is a behavior that acts as a maintaining factor in CFS, and prevents recovery<ref name=":7" />
* Patients can "recover" by adjusting dysfunctional beliefs and behaviors, and reversing [[deconditioning]]<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":1" />

* The role of the physical symptoms of patients should be minimized, they are based on severe [[deconditioning]] (or exist only in the patients' beliefs)<ref name=":5" />
* Patients "simulate" [[Paresis|muscle weakness]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cfstreatment.blogspot.com/p/corporate-collusion-uk-medical-research.html|title=Onward Through the Fog: Corporate Collusion?|last=Hooper|first=Malcolm|authorlink=Malcolm Hooper|date=|website=Onward Through the Fog|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref>

* Patients who receive health insurance payouts or disability benefits are believed to have a lower prospect of recovery; "secondary gain" and assuming a "sick role" allow them to "manipulate" others, and are considered obstacles to recovery

* Patients have been criticized by some of the Wessely school for "harassment", including submitting Freedom of Information Act requests for data resulting from clinical trials involving some if the Wessley school
* CFS/ME is the preferred term for both CFS and [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] (ME), which are the same
* [[Myalgic encephalomyelitis|ME]] is a belief in an illness, rather than an illness<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://erythos.com/gibsonenquiry/Docs/OneClick.pdf|title=Evidence to the Gibson Enquiry|last=One Click Group|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref>
* Maes and Twisk refer to Harvey and Wessely's model of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as "[[psychosocial]]" rather than "[[Biopsychosocial model|biopsychosocial]]"<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":1" />
* There has been some confusion over Professor Wessely's beliefs; he declined to give a written or oral statement to clarify them to the Group on Scientific Research into ME<ref name=":1" />

==Notable people==

=== Members of the Wessely school ===
* [[Simon Wessely]] - psychiatrist and Wessely school founder<ref name=":4" />
: '''Professor of Epidemiological and Liaison Psychiatry''' at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School (GKT) based at [[King's College Hospital]] (KCH)
: also based at [[The Institute of Psychiatry]] (IOP)
: Director of the '''Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Unit''' and of the '''Gulf War Illnesses Research Unit''', King's College Hospital <ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mcs-international.org/downloads/009_mental_health_movement.pdf|title=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.|last=Hooper|first=Malcolm|authorlink=Malcolm Hooper|date=2003|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-10-15|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=}}</ref>

* [[Michael Sharpe]]
: psychiatrist and Wessely school proponent<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
: formerly of Oxford and now at Edinburgh <ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" />

* [[Peter White]]
: psychiatrist and Wessely school proponent<ref name=":4" />
: St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London
: [[PACE trial]] lead author

* [[Trudie Chalder]] - '''Professor of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy''' at King's College London. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/trudie.chalder.html|title=Trudie Chalder - Research Portal, King's College, London|website=kclpure.kcl.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref>
: proponent of CBT for CFS<ref name=":5" />
: creator of the [[Chalder fatigue scale|Chalder Fatigue Scale]]
: former Registered Mental Nurse, author of books on "Chronic Fatigue"<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

* [[Anthony David]] <ref name=":3" />

* [[Stephen Reid]] <ref name=":3" />

* [[Anthony Cleare]] <ref name=":3" /><ref name=":1" />

* [[Elena Garralda]] - '''Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry''' at St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Possible members of the Wessely school ===

* [[Matthew Hotopf]] - The Institute of Psychiatry and King's College Hospital
* [[Richard Mayou]]
* [[Keith Hawton]]
* [[Christopher Bass]] - Oxford
* [[Leonie Ridsdale]] - '''Senior Lecturer in General Practice''' at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’, London<ref name=":3" />

=== Supporters of the Wessely school ===
Malcolm Hooper lists the following as supporters of the Wessely school.

* [[Tony Pelosi]] - Glasgow
* [[Stephen Lawrie]] - Edinburgh
* [[Alison Wearden]] - psychologist, University of Manchester <ref name=":3" />

==Notable studies==
* [[PACE trial]] <ref name=":5" />

* [[FINE trial]]

* [[MAGENTA trial]]
* The [[Oxford criteria|Oxford Criteria]] was developed at Oxford University, and may or may not have involved some of the Wessely school

==Location==

Followers of the Wessely school are based in a number of different locations:

* [[Queen Mary University of London|Queen Mary University]] (see [[PACE trial]])
* King's College Hospital, London
* Guy', Kings' and St Thomas's Medical School
* Institute of Psychiatry, London
* St Bartholomew's Hospital, London
* St Mary's, London
* Edinburgh
* Glasgow
* Oxford

==Funding, Influence and Conflicts of interest==

The UK's [[Medical Research Council]] provides a great deal of funding to research by Wessley school proponents.<ref name=":0" /> The UK's [[Department for Work and Pensions]] (DWP), which provides social security payments for people with disabilities or on very low incomes, also provided considerable funding to the [[PACE Trial Management Group|PACE]] - despite never previously funding health research.

The initial Wessley school conference, which took place in 1988, was sponsored by drug company Novartis.

A number of members of the Wessely school have undertaken work for private health insurance companies including [[UNUM|UNUM Insurance]], the DWP, and pharmaceutical companies.

Simon Wessely played a key role in developing the previous [[National Health Service]] (NHS) treatment guidelines for ME/CFS, known as the [[NICE guidelines]]. He was not directly involved with the 2007 update, nor is he believed to be part of the current working group revising those guidelines.

Prof. Wessely also provided the previous [[Cochrane]] reviewers with extremely extensive publications.

==Influence==

The Wessely school is extremely influential, and Prof Simon Wessely is a past president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/aboutthecollege/pastpresidentspage/pastpresident.aspx|title=Past President|website=www.rcpsych.ac.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref>

==Criticism of the Wessley school==

* [[Margaret Williams]]
* [[Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar|Countess of Mar]]
* The Group on Scientific Research into ME, which included [[Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar|Countess Mar]]
* [http://www.wakeupcallbeweging.be/pdf/30yearsdisdainsummary.p Thirty years of disdain - Mary Dimmock] criticises Simon Wessely and the Wessely school, and others promoting biopsychosocial theories
* [[David Tuller]]

* [[Malcolm Hooper]]

* [[Tom Kindlon]] and [[Alem Matthees]], both advocates with ME, have re-analyzes the [[PACE trial]] data

* [[MEActionUK]]

==Online presence ==
==See also==
* [[Simon Wessely]]

==Learn more==
* [http://www.mcs-international.org/downloads/009_mental_health_movement.pdf 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] - Malcolm Hooper
* [[Margaret of Mar, 31st Countess of Mar|Countess of Mar]] - Hansard Debate, UK Parliament

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Research initiatives]]
[[Category:British research initiatives]]
[[Category:Psychological paradigm proponents]]

MEpedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Wessely school

Wessely school