Full recovery is possible: how women recover from [ME/CFS] outside formal clinical settings, 2026, Harper et al

[forestglip]

Full recovery is possible: how women recover from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) outside formal clinical settings

Harper, Julie

Aims
Latest UK guidance for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) states there is no cure (NICE, 2021), leaving those with the illness without hope of recovery. However, many have recovered outside formal medical settings, although little is known about the methods used or how they define recovery. The aims of this research are to understand the factors which individuals who identify as having recovered from ME/CFS believe led to their recovery, and what recovery means to them.

Method
This study explored the experiences of eight women who recovered using psychologically mediated approaches. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
Participants defined recovery as a return to good health, but with a better life, and no fear of relapse. Two foundational elements supported recovery: cultivation of a recovery mindset and development of an explanatory narrative about the causes and perpetuations of the illness. Building on these foundations, active recovery methods involved responding to symptoms differently and addressing root causes, such as emotional trauma, stress and identity factors.

Discussion
These findings align with cognitive and behavioural theories of symptom maintenance in ME/CFS, but extend existing models by highlighting the importance of foundational conditions, particularly belief in recovery and an explanatory model, and resolution of predisposing and perpetuating psychological patterns that appear to enable meaningful change.

Conclusion
This study contributes much-needed evidence for full recovery from ME/CFS and provides a basis for future investigation into active psychological recovery methods. It also offers hope for those living with the illness that recovery is both possible and achievable.

Web | DOI | Journal of Psychosomatic Research | Abstract only

Edited to "Abstract only"

 

[ChronicallyOverIt]

When I first got sick I actually read, listened, and watch a lot of these mind body recoveries. Oddly a lot of them I wouldn’t say were “recovered” most were just living inside new energy limits but spinning it. Interested if that’s what this pans out too.

Personally recovered to me means you can push yourself physically and be fine.

 

[MrMagoo]

I fixed all my psychological issues and believed I could get better. Does anyone know when it kicks in? It’s been decades now.

 

[MSEsperanza]

"Method: This study explored the experiences of eight women who recovered using psychologically mediated approaches. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis."

Can't see anything here that can provide any evidence.

Not clear to me from the wording but was the study prospective? Did it have a control group?

Or did they just ask people who have recovered and made the sample only of those who responded?

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

It says a lot about the psychosomatic medicine community that they should want this to be published in their journal. It is such a clear demonstration of their lack of insight into the psychology of evidence gathering. And their need for their beliefs tobe supported.

 

[rvallee]

cultivation of a recovery mindset and development of an explanatory narrative about the causes and perpetuations of the illness

This is just bullying nonsense. What a load of garbage. This is just this era's version of faith in god and angels.

 

[hotblack]

This is just this era's version of faith in god and angels.

Agree very much. So much of these things can be out down to humanity’s desire to instil order and control over things which are just chaotic.

The universe, nature does not have justice or fairness. It just is.

When we cannot cope with that, cannot accept that things just randomly happen outside of our control or understanding, for better or worse, we create myths, belief systems and rituals. Sometimes it’s harmless. But we’ve also seen what harm can be done.

 

[rvallee]

Or did they just ask people who have recovered and made the sample only of those who responded?

In other words, they cherry-picked anecdotes by selecting for them, then positively reported their preferred narrative model with excessive bias. This is multiple logical fallacies in a trench coat.

It's not just that the industry is "solving" the problem of bias by making it a good thing, it's literally maximizing it. The more bias, the better (the appearance of positive outcomes).

There is no reason to not apply this nonsense to depression ("just be happy") and anxiety ("just relax") and I have no idea what the reaction will be when it inevitably happens, but I fear it will adopt it without much resistance. By creeping alternative medicine like this into health care, this will apply to anything and everything. The inevitable outcome is only disease is real, illness and symptoms are a flaw, a weakness, mental illness, failure of coping.

This is all like the Elmo meme choosing between a pile of vegetables and a pile of cocaine. What a disaster.