>>Chronic fatigue syndrome and, now, chronic Lyme disease are probably more related to depression than to any external biological agent like a virus or bacterium.
As someone whose partner has CFS (since she was aged 12) I have to disagree strongly on this, although my experiences are anecdotal I'm more than 99% sure CFS is a physical condition rather than mental.
Having also studied much of the scientific literature of the past few years I'd be strongly critical of your assertion based on the results of any respected doctor or controlled study.
Unfortunately suggesting it's a mental condition has resulted in such helpful suggestions from doctors as "get a new hair cut to cheer you up" which is akin to telling a cancer sufferer that lipstick might help.
I'd be happy to discuss further and provide numerous studies suggesting it is a result of a (most likely) viral infection that has had long term repercussions on the immune system.
There are scammers out there, but it's not the patients or the majority of doctors - at least in the UK.
Disclaimer: I'm currently working on a data gathering problem related to this as a side project with a view to crowdsourced funding.
As someone whose partner has CFS (since she was aged 12) I have to disagree strongly on this, although my experiences are anecdotal I'm more than 99% sure CFS is a physical condition rather than mental.
Having also studied much of the scientific literature of the past few years I'd be strongly critical of your assertion based on the results of any respected doctor or controlled study.
Unfortunately suggesting it's a mental condition has resulted in such helpful suggestions from doctors as "get a new hair cut to cheer you up" which is akin to telling a cancer sufferer that lipstick might help.
I'd be happy to discuss further and provide numerous studies suggesting it is a result of a (most likely) viral infection that has had long term repercussions on the immune system.
There are scammers out there, but it's not the patients or the majority of doctors - at least in the UK.
Disclaimer: I'm currently working on a data gathering problem related to this as a side project with a view to crowdsourced funding.