tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979705298376384839.post8851123528835326514..comments2023-08-08T15:52:59.283+01:00Comments on Why Do People Get Ill?: Thriving and flourishingDavid Corfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02397105318808501794noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979705298376384839.post-22083689687343267722007-03-08T10:10:00.000+00:002007-03-08T10:10:00.000+00:00Connie,Your comment came in as I was composing my ...Connie,<BR/><BR/>Your comment came in as I was composing my response to Maggie.<BR/><BR/>There's an aspect of what you ask which I'm going to talk about soon in a new post. That's the contemporary notion of 'self' which understands that if there are psychological factors involved in an illness, then one can think oneself out of that illness.<BR/><BR/>To reiterate the point about psychological factors involved in what are taken to be 'real' illnesses, it is well documented that those suffering from depression at the time of heart surgery have a much worse prognosis compared to those who are not.David Corfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02397105318808501794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979705298376384839.post-46404938965977233382007-03-08T09:59:00.000+00:002007-03-08T09:59:00.000+00:00That would have been Darian on "Breakfast".You ask...That would have been Darian on "Breakfast".<BR/><BR/>You ask about my views concerning the participating doctor's comment about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being "cured" by talking therapies. Let me start by saying that the implied dichotomy between real organic illnesses untouchable by talking therapies, and imaginary 'functional' illnesses which can be so treated, is one we reject. Our outlook is well captured by Brian Lask's statement <A HREF="http://whydopeoplegetill.blogspot.com/2007/02/meaning-of-psychosomatic.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.<BR/><BR/>Even if it is found that a talking therapy helps many people with a certain condition, this does not make it any less real. To approach things from the side of illnesses taken to be 'real', we discuss in our book the case of a transvestite who for his family's sake decides to stop cross-dressing. On two occasions when he tries to do so, however, he suffers a heart attack. Now, if a talking therapy allows him to give up cross-dressing without further heart attacks, nobody will say that the illnesses of people suffering from heart attacks aren't real.<BR/><BR/>Conversely, the possibility of physiological interventions which prevent a bodily manifestation of a psychic state doesn't stop us from admitting the existence of that state. Someone who is sad may cry frequently. If their tear ducts are removed and the crying stops, we would not say that there is no such thing as sadness.<BR/><BR/>In sum, I don't think I'm being evasive when I say we don't have a 'take' on CFS. Even if the condition was found to arise in conjunction with a certain kind of infection, we should still be interested in potential psychological contributions, as with the research mentioned <A HREF="http://whydopeoplegetill.blogspot.com/2007/03/when-symptoms-persist.html" REL="nofollow">here</A> concerning continuing gut problems. <BR/><BR/>No two patients are the same. One can only have a chance to understand an individual case by a careful exploration of the illness's psychological circumstances.David Corfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02397105318808501794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979705298376384839.post-26102359408915685342007-03-08T09:42:00.000+00:002007-03-08T09:42:00.000+00:00Re Comment by Maggie.I would also be very interest...Re Comment by Maggie.<BR/><BR/>I would also be very interested on your take on the lady docs comment at the end of the BBC1 Breakfast programme. It was something along the lines of: "people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can think themselves better" <BR/><BR/>Connieconniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03063560295043667677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979705298376384839.post-10033318248971092762007-03-07T15:09:00.000+00:002007-03-07T15:09:00.000+00:00I saw either you or your co-author on "Breakfast" ...I saw either you or your co-author on "Breakfast" on BBC 1 the other day. I do apologise for not knowing which of you it was - the item had started before I realised it was of interest to me. The doctor (sorry, name escapes me) made some comment about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being "cured" by talking therapies (I don't recall exact words, as it rather took me by surprise). As an ME/CFS patient myself, I wondered what your take is on this?<BR/><BR/>Maybe my question will be answered when I read your book - have ordered it from Amazon, but being cash-short have gone for free delivery so not sure when it will arrive.<BR/><BR/>I look forward to reading the book - I'm sure I will find much of interest in it. After I first became ill, 15 years ago on March 9 this year, I was sacked from my job as a University (Cytogenetics) Technician. But learnt to touch-type, and then went on to begin a BSc in Applied Psychology, part time. <BR/><BR/>Unfortunately I was not able to finish the degree - got about half way through - as other family commitments took up my small amount of energy. I hope that maybe sometime in the future I may be able to finish it, but at present it's impossible as my parents are old and need a lot of help - mainly provided by my husband as I am unable to drive at present, and am not able enough to help them as I wish to.<BR/><BR/>Best wishes from sunny (at the mo anyway!) LiverpoolMaggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630530599678517169noreply@blogger.com