Books Quote by Alison C. Bested
![“Historically in the literature CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] was inappropriately touted as a cure for patients with ME/CFS if they changed their “belief system”. ME/CFS is a physical illness and not a psychological illness, therefore CBT cannot cure ME/ CFS. What CBT can do is to help…” quote by Alison C. Bested](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3ea/alison-c-bested-63335_books_historically-in-the-literature-cbt-cogni_2076792.jpg)
““Historically in the literature CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy] was inappropriately touted as a cure for patients with ME/CFS if they changed their “belief system”. ME/CFS is a physical illness and not a psychological illness, therefore CBT cannot cure ME/ CFS. What CBT can do is to help patients cope with being chronically ill and manage their emotional reactions better so that they do not waste valuable energy on worrying or feeling guilty about things that they cannot control. We like to think of CBT as “emotional energy conservation”.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussion on CBT and ME/CFS, 2023
CBT cannot cure physical illnesses like ME/CFS, but it can help patients manage emotional responses and conserve mental energy.
In simple terms: CBT helps cope, not cure.
Key Takeaway
Use CBT to reduce worry and guilt.
Themes
health
psychology
coping
energy management
Mood
empathetic
practical
Type
advice
clinical
When to use this quote
- patient support groups
- clinical therapy sessions
- self‑management plans
Key Concepts
Cognitive behavioral therapy
emotional regulation
illness perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can patients balance medical care with CBT?
- What strategies prevent emotional energy waste?
A Different Perspective
CBT may be limited if not paired with medical treatment.
