Written for students and clinicians who are new to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), this book aims to de-mystify the illness and its management by offering a detailed exploration of the role of the occupational therapist in facilitating the CFS patient?s recovery. Recognising that working with people with CFS involves all aspects of the occupational therapy process, the book demonstrates how many of the skills gained in occupational therapy training and in other area of clinical practice can be transferred to the management of CFS. Case vignettes and more in-depth studies are used throughout to illustrate the syndrome and its management and a full glossary of terms is also included.

Complete Coverage of chronic fatigue syndrome The Handbook of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome provides authoritative coverage of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A leading group of international contributors present up-to-date information and guidance to improve the understanding, proper identification, and treatment of this debilitating disease. The handbook's comprehensive, multidisciplinary format draws on the medical, as well as mental health-related, aspects of CFS, including: History, diagnosis, and classification Phenomenology Symptomatology Assessment Treatment and intervention Pediatric and community issues Topics covered include complexity of diagnosis, social effects of chronic disorders, and a variety of treatment techniques, including phase-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies, exercise therapy, and nutritional approaches. An insightful and unique resource, the Handbook of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an enlightening book for all mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors, as well as medical personnel, such as nurses, physicians, and physical-occupational therapists.

A guide for practitioners, scientists, and patients, Clinical Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome provides an insightful overview of current clinical management of CFS and guidelines for dealing with the disease and its compounding issues. It also provides, especially for patients, an objective framework in which they can approach the confusing psychological and physical ramifications of the disease so that they may sort through possibly misleading information on current treatments. CFS has been the focus of an increasing number of research investigators seeking to unravel the enigmatic interrelationship of immunologic, neurologic, endocrinologic, and psychologic abnormalities associated with this debilitating disorder. Because many practical issues have been underestimated by the medical community, and considerable misinformation exists regarding the appropriate evaluation and management of the CFS patient, the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (AACFS) held its first clinical conference to address this problem, the results of which are presented in this book. Each chapter, based on material presented at the October 1994 conference has been completely updated and revised during a peer review process, making Clinical Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a useful and up-to-date guide for practitioners and scientists, as well as patients. Despite the potential of nervous system functional assessments, the diagnosis of CFS continues to be a major problem because a consensus diagnostic tool is lacking, and the monitoring of the disorder is based primarily on patient report. Moreover, dealing with the financial aspects of CFS continues to be a major problem for patients, so professionals with experience dealing with insurance companies explored this issue, as well as ways in which CFS could be considered in a broader perspective of health care, particularly focusing on governmental involvement. The chapters provide an insightful overview of current clinical management of patients and guidelines for dealing with the disease and its complicating issues. General topics of relevance covered in the book's chapters include a review of advances in basic science neurocognitive dysfunction diagnostic issues use of alternative/complementary medicine cognitive behavioral and rehabilitative therapies financial issues advances in governmental role women's issues In this book, practitioners and scientists in the field and patients living with CFS have a thorough resource on current clinical and patient management of the disease.

Many factors of twenty first century life are impacting negatively on our quality of sleep and self-restorative functions. The pressure for increased productivity, less than ideal diet, constant technological changes, environmental pollution and unrealistic self expectations mean that a growing number of people are suffering from debilitating and persistent fatigue. This book explains the body-mind balance and how it can be destabilised resulting in fatigue. It combines practical ways to measure energy levels and identify stressors with concrete suggestions for how to modify habits, detoxify lifestyles and tackle daily challenges head on. The author employs her vast professional and personal experience of conquering Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) to address the physiological and psychological factors affecting our energy levels, from diet and environment, to breathing and the internal workings of our bodies. This detailed and comprehensive guide offer a fresh outlook for anyone who suffers from general fatigue, stress and conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Sleep Disorders, Adjustment Disorder, Depression and Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction as well as the professionals who work with them.

Integrate the freshest research with clinical practice Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners often lack the fundamental skills to conduct or effectively use research, illustrating a disturbing gap between the advancement of theoretical concepts and the extent to which concepts are actually applied. The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy closes this gap by presenting a conceptual framework that integrates theory and research with clinical practice. Leaders in the field provide insightful, thought-provoking ideas and strategies to promote research and facilitate effective new concepts and theories to hands-on practitioners. The Scholarship of Practice is a model that blends education with practice, dynamically applying theoretical principles of occupational therapy learned in the classroom to their actual clinical practice. This framework is a planned, focused, practice-relevant way to educate students, build a tradition of independent scholarship, consult with community-based organizations, and contribute to best occupational therapy practice. Case studies show how partnerships and collaborative efforts can foster and apply important advances and rehabilitative strategies within communities. Examples of faculty-practitioner partnering at Duquesne University and the approach to scholarship at the University of Illinois are clearly discussed. This cutting-edge compilation of ideas and research is extensively referenced and filled with useful diagrams and tables. The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy discusses: evidence-based scholarship participatory action research single case study designs approaches that provide scientific evidence supporting OT services how theory, models, or frames of reference are modified as a result of practice demands or expectations best practices in education continuum of care services the New Doors Model that provides occupation-based serviceswhile providing new opportunities for occupational therapists the Practice-Scholar Program at Duquesne University the Concerns Report Method research on the outcomes of practice that support improved services creative fieldwork education that engages students in the scholarship of practice and more! The Scholarship of Practice: Academic-Practice Collaborations for Promoting Occupational Therapy makes important, enlightening reading for occupational therapists, OT educators and scholars, and graduate students preparing for advanced roles in OT.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are serious, debilitating conditions that affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. ME/CFS can cause significant impairment and disability. Despite substantial efforts by researchers to better understand ME/CFS, there is no known cause or effective treatment. Diagnosing the disease remains a challenge, and patients often struggle with their illness for years before an identification is made. Some health care providers have been skeptical about the serious physiological - rather than psychological - nature of the illness. Once diagnosed, patients often complain of receiving hostility from their health care provider as well as being subjected to treatment strategies that exacerbate their symptoms. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome proposes new diagnostic clinical criteria for ME/CFS and a new term for the illness - systemic exertion intolerance disease(SEID). According to this report, the term myalgic encephalomyelitis does not accurately describe this illness, and the term chronic fatigue syndrome can result in trivialization and stigmatization for patients afflicted with this illness. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stresses that SEID is a medical - not a psychiatric or psychological - illness. This report lists the major symptoms of SEID and recommends a diagnostic process.One of the report's most important conclusions is that a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted work-up are necessary and often sufficient for diagnosis. The new criteria will allow a large percentage of undiagnosed patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be a valuable resource to promote the prompt diagnosis of patients with this complex, multisystem, and often devastating disorder; enhance public understanding; and provide a firm foundation for future improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and disabling condition characterised by fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances and other physical and psychological symptoms that cause a considerable amount of distress and suffering. This book provides a practical guide for clinicians on how to treat chronic fatigue syndrome using cognitive behaviour therapy approaches. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome attempts to make sense of the illness, and describes how cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients by working with their environment, emotions, and behaviour to improve their physical condition. Topics covered include: principles of cognitive behavioural therapy assessing patients with chronic fatigue syndrome helping patients with emotional issues and other maintenance factors using cognitive behavioural therapy alongside other approaches. Aimed at practitioners, this book will provide essential guidance for cognitive behavioural therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other clinicians who work in this rapidly expanding field.