Chronic fatigue syndrome: a qualitative investigation of patients' beliefs about the illness.

Journal article

The chronic fatigue syndrome is a disabling chronic condition of uncertain cause. Previous studies have found that patients seen in hospital clinics with the syndrome often strongly believe that their illness is physical in nature and minimize the role of psychological and social factors. There is also evidence that patients cope by avoiding activity. However, almost all of these studies have assessed illness beliefs only by questionnaire. The aim of this study was to explore the nature and o...

Expand abstract

Authors: Clements, A; Sharpe, M; Simkin, S; Borrill, J; Hawton, K

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of psychosomatic research
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 615-624
• Publication date: 1997-06-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3999(97)00087-1
• EISSN: 1879-1360
• ISSN: 0022-3999
• Language: English
• Keywords: Adolescent; Adult; Adaptation, Psychological; Stress, Psychological; Sick Role; Psychophysiologic Disorders; Patient Education as Topic; Female; Middle Aged; Internal-External Control; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Cognitive Therapy; Male; Humans; Personality Assessment