To the Editor: The process of destigmatising chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not advanced by either limiting enquiry to "acceptable" sciences or increasing the stigma already experienced by people with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Contrary to its intent, and in contrast to the recently published Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) guidelines,1 the recent statement by the immediate past president of the RACP and the Chairman of the ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association of Australia2 is in danger of increasing the stigma for both people with CFS and people with other common mental disorders.
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- 1. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical practice guidelines – 2002. Med J Aust 2002; 176 Suppl May 6: S17-S56. <MJA full text>
- 2. Larkins RG, Molesworth SR. Chronic fatigue syndrome clinical practice guidelines [letter]. Med J Aust 2002; 177: 51-52. <MJA full text>
- 3. Highet NJ, Hickie IB, Davenport TA. Monitoring awareness of and attitudes to depression in Australia. Med J Aust 2002; 176 Suppl May 20: S63-S68. <MJA full text>
- 4. McNair BG, Highet NJ, Hickie IB, Davenport TA. Exploring the perspectives of people whose lives have been affected by depression. Med J Aust 2002; 176 Suppl May 20: S69-S76. <MJA full text>
- 5. Lloyd AR, Hickie IB, Loblay RH. Illness or disease? The case of chronic fatigue syndrome. Med J Aust 2000; 172: 471-472. <MJA full text>
- 6. Eaton L. Chronic fatigue report delayed as row breaks out over content. BMJ 2002; 324: 7.
- 7. Hickie I, Davenport T, Issakidis C, Andrews G. Neurasthenia revisited. Br J Psychiatry 2002; 181: 56-61.
- 8. Hickie IB. Responding to the Australian experience of depression. Med J Aust 2002; 176 Suppl May 20: S61-S62. <MJA full text>