Product Description

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating illness, characterised by severe exhaustion and flu-like symptoms affecting possibly 10 per cent of the UK population, for which conventional medicine currently has no cure. Now the authors, who practise at the CFS Research and Treatment Unit, University of London, have developed this new self-help guide. Via recognised CBT techniques that change our attitude and coping strategies, this approach is successful in breaking the cycle of fatigue, with a reduction in symptoms and disability in up to two-thirds of sufferers. The key features of the book include: improving sleep patterns; practical strategies for balancing activity and rest; dealing with blocks to recovery; stress and ways of coping; and how relatives and friends can help.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81420 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

The Psychologist
The well-respected authors approach the often controversial topic of chronic fatigue syndrome in a way that is functional

About the Author
Professor Chalder is the author of Overcoming Chronic Fatigue, along with Mary Burgess. She is currently Professor of CBT and Director of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research and Treatment Unit at King's College, London. She has worked as a researcher and clinician in the area of CFS in adults and children for about 19 years. She and her colleagues developed the CBT treatment of CFS, which has been evaluated in a number of clinical research trials with positive outcomes. Dr Burgess, author of Overcoming Chronic Fatigue, has worked as a therapist in the area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) for more than ten years. She is both a clinician and a researcher, at Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine in London. Much of her research has been into ways of bringing treatment to CFS patients who, because of their illness, have difficulty attending her clinics. She is currently working as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist at the School's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research and Treatment Unit.

Customer Reviews

Of little help for ME sufferers
Mary Burgess is a very likeable person and sensitively diagnosed my own ME a few years ago. On first reading this book I was reasonably impressed overall, but flummoxed at the extraordinarily simplistic way of describing ME symptoms and how all symptoms are apparently being either caused or maintained by 'too much rest'!

In summary this is a great book on self-help using CBT (for anyone who might find this approach appropriate for them) but a very poor book on treating/overcoming ME/CFS.

Overcoming? No. Managing? Maybe.
I found this book to be useful in terms of managing Chronic Fatigue, though it has in no way "overcome" it.

The assertion throughout that ME/CFS is a condition solely maintained (though not necessarily caused) by wrong thinking seems both simplistic and, frankly, prehistoric. Whilst managing activity can be used very effectively to overcome Post-Viral Fatigue (quite a different condition to ME/CFS), it can ... at very best ... only help in the management of people with ME/CFS as it counsels the reader to moderate their activity, thus avoiding the tendency to overdo things when feeling well, and evening out the "boom" and "bust" roller coaster experienced by many people living with the condition. Sadly it does not address, in any satisfactory sense, the cognitive issues arising from the condition.

A useful book for maintaining an even level of physical health, but don't for one moment think that what is offered is a cure for ME/CFS ... because it isn't.

In summary I would advise avoiding this book if you have any self-esteem issues about your experiences with ME/CFS ... there is no validation here, just a long winded exhortation to "pull yourself together".

Very Limited & Misleading.
The book is titled 'Overcoming Chronic Fatigue'. Unfortunately as the writers of this book are unable to tell the difference between Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and M.E and so it is very misleading and limited.

Yes, it has the odd useful tips, but you have to sift through the patronising, limited thinking to find any, and it's actually quite demoralizing if you have ME/CFS as it is so very clear, they haven't really got a clue or read any research outside CBT and can't even differentiate between chronic fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

If you have mild, chronic fatigue caused by stress, depression, insomnia and a hectic out of spiral lifestyle and being a 'bit run down', this book would be useful and do as the title says.

If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or M.E. this book is inaccurate and very limited, misleading and could probably worsen your condition as it seems to have no understanding outside the realms of psychology. (see other reviews for more detail). It was recommended by my Hospital Psychologist who had an equally blinkered understanding to ME/CFS and had also missed reading any other research outside the limited field of CBT.

When it comes to psychological approaches, anyone who has done any reading can see some CBT is helpful if handled appropriately, but NLP and NLP based therapies such as Reverse, Mikel and EFT are usually more effective and CBT is actually a little behind. NLP is certainly no cure either, but it's more practical and cutting edge in it's approach and made more physical difference to my ME than CBT. Pacing, nutrition and supplements, Lymph massage and tai chi and a very gentle form of yoga, meditation, osteopathy and accupuncture have also helped. A book on Adrenal Burnout called 'Tired of being Tired' by Dr Jesse Lynn Hanley, although not for ME was very helpful and practical, as was Charles Shepherd's Living with M.E. Much more worth the money. Give this a miss.