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Reading List: Medical

The following articles, books, and publications are excellent reference materials and sources of information about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and its diagnosis, treatment options and patient care. Some are available through the Association store; others are available via online booksellers such as Amazon.com (visit Amazon using the hot link on our home page and the Association will receive a percentage of your purchase price) and BarnesandNoble.com.

1994 International Case Definition

Managing Chronic Illness Using the Four-Phase Treatment Approach : A Mental Health Professional's Guide to Helping Chronically Ill People
by Patricia A. Fennell, 439 pages

A pioneering book to help maximize the quality of life for chronically ill patients. Available at Amazon.com

Handbook of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Edited by Leonard A. Jason, Patricia A. Fennell and Renee R. Taylor, 2003, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 794 pp.
Available at Amazon.com

Written by a virtual Who’s Who of CFIDS researchers, clinicians and patients, the Handbook touches on every aspect of the CFIDS experience — from assessment, treatment and symptomatology to patient perspectives. While it does not break new ground in terms of research or patient care, the book serves as a comprehensive primer. Although it’s written with health-care professionals in mind, astute lay readers should find the Handbook an enlightening guide.

The Biology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
American Journal of Medicine. Komaroff, 2000.
Summarizes the evidence for an underlying biological process in most CFS patients who meet the CDC case definition.

The CFS Research Review
A periodical published semi-annually by The CFIDS Association of America dedicated to providing up-to-date CFS research, diagnosis and treatment information to medical professionals and patients.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression: Biological Differentiation and Treatment
Psychiatric Annals
. Jorge and Goodnick, May 1997.
Article differentiates the physical signs and symptoms of CFS and FM from depression. Focus is on practical applications of research findings and future ability to show clear biologic separation and specific treatment.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Treatment Guide
Erica F. Verillo and Lauren M. Gellman, Quality Medical Publishing, 1998. (404 pages). An unbiased report on nearly 100 symptoms associated with CFS and even more information about treatment, combining research, and patient reports.

A Community-Based Study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Archives of Internal Medicine
. Jason et al., October, 11 1999.
Prevalence study uncovers a rate almost twice that of previous federal studies.

Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
David S. Bell, M.D., Addison-Wesley Publishing Group, 1994 (275 pages). Written by a leading expert on CFS (and pediatric CFS), this book describes diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
 

Natural History of Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Archives of Internal Medicine and Rehabilitation. Hill et al., 1999.
Study of 23 patients found that in four years only 4% "recovered fully" from CFIDS.

Running on Empty
Katrina H. Berne, Ph.D., Hunter House, 1995 (315 pages).
A physician draws on her experience as a person with CFIDS, CFIDS therapist, and speaker in writing about the disease. An important resource manual for persons with CFIDS and physicians.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Benjamin Natelson, M.D. Journal of the American Medical Association. May 23/30,2001. Vol 285, No. 20

The Polio Paradox: What You Need to Know
Richard Bruno, H.D., PhD. Warner Books, Inc., 2002. (315 pages).
Dr. Bruno, considered the foremost authority on post-polio syndrome, discusses “uncovering the hidden history of polio to understand and treat post-polio syndrome and chronic fatigue.”

A Clinician’s Guide to Controversial Illnesses: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Renee Taylor, Fred Friedberg, Leonard Jason. Professional Resource Press, 2001. (145 pages).
Well-documented journal that provides a comprehensive review for managing the emotional/behavioral aspects of these misunderstood disorders.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Other Invisible Illnesses: The Comprehensive Guide
Katrina Berne, PhD. Publishers Group West, 2001. (352 pages).

A Consensus Manual for the Primary Care and Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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