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Yep, the devil is in the detail. The best predictor of someone's future behaviour is their past behaviour, and his track record is,... not encouraging.

This is the real madness. The attention and focus, which really means funding, should be on a needs and demonstrated benefit basis. Not on some arbitrary we must give both equal billing basis for fear of being accused of anti-psych prejudice, and because it gives us an excuse not to properly...

What they said.

IIRC, for pain it is not clear as the effect sizes are all over the place. Also is not clear if it is an actual placebo effect taking place, or is a whole other bunch of methodological confounders that are not being properly controlled for, and are all just being placed in the placebo basket...

Any condition that has diagnostic criteria requiring a 50% or greater reduction in activity capacity is already imposing a serious loss of function. More than enough to make a patient uncompetitive in the labour market. Let alone factoring in having to try preventing further deterioration...

This is not good. But my bigger concern is if the current US admin tries to permanently destroy research records and data. That really will be an unrecoverable situation. It is the difference between hitting pause on research, and having to rebuild research programs from scratch. Data in...

Therefore does not need any further research of any kind on it that might show an alternative explanation, especially biomedical. Who needs falsification? That way only leads to lofty eminence being called into question.

I have had prescription glasses that worked noticeably better when I slightly tilted the angle of the lenses relative to the face. In this case by raising the frame arms 2-3mm at the ears with some wraps of elastoplast type tape. But the arms on most frames can be adjusted too. I don't think...

I think it might be better to say that those who blocked it should be required to publicly put their case for it, with their names attached. This still names and shames them, but somewhat indirectly, and puts the onus on them to overtly justify their strident opposition, via the normal...

If you ever want an example of how arbitrary and pathological psychologisation can be, this is a good one.

Interesting to see that after the initial burst of signatures the rate of additional ones between approx. Nov 2023 and Nov 2024 was consistent, making up a significant proportion (approx. 20% of the total, at Nov 2024), and showing no sign of slowing. That suggests that word is still slowly...

Excellent piece. :thumbup:

I mean, it isn't completely wrong. But it is just generic stuff that applies to all health problems and general life issues. There is no reason to think we need special training in it. This kind of 'advice' is just insulting. Do they honestly think that we are incapable of learning from hard...

I find a hot bath or shower a mixed bag. It is kind of exhausting. OTOH, it does a nice job of relaxing and soothing aching tired muscles, and generally relaxing me. Do often lie down and have a nap or quiet period afterwards. Not exactly energising, but in some way therapeutic.

A particularly cruel irony.

I am increasingly of the view that prizes and gongs are seriously distorting the research system across all of science, and we would be better off without any of it. In the short-term it has given the psycho-behavioural school an opening they don't deserve with their quick-fix low-cost...

Sounds promising. But I wish they had not called it 'Miracle'.

developing self-management skills early on to avoid consistently over-exerting oneself and worsening symptoms over time, particularly concerning PEM. And how the hell do we do that when we don't even have the capacity to reliably do minimal self-care and life admin, without triggering PEM or...

Try this: https://retractionwatch.com/2025/01/23/thousands-demand-withdrawal-of-review-article-recommending-exercise-therapy-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

Long time since I read Engels. But IIRC, he was not talking about psychosomatic type psychosocial factors, but things like political and economic factors limiting access to medical help, and social support for the sick and disabled, etc, and how their lack can inflict secondary biomedical and...