Chronic-fatigue-syndrome Quote by Barry E. Hurwitz
![“Individuals are often stigmatized and told their illness isn’t real… People with [ME] CFS face an incredible burden just getting doctors to take their symptoms seriously” quote by Barry E. Hurwitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a8a/barry-e-hurwitz-222278_chronic-fatigue-synd_individuals-are-often-stigmatized-and-to_913193.jpg)
““Individuals are often stigmatized and told their illness isn’t real… People with [ME] CFS face an incredible burden just getting doctors to take their symptoms seriously””
About This Quote
Source Article: Chronic illness stigma, 2020
People with ME/CFS are often dismissed, facing difficulty getting doctors to validate their symptoms.
In simple terms: Illness often isn’t taken seriously.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for recognition and better care.
Themes
stigma
health
advocacy
Mood
empathetic
advocacy
Type
social
health
When to use this quote
- support groups
- policy advocacy
- education campaigns
Key Concepts
medical validation
patient rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clinicians improve empathy?
- What support helps patients feel heard?
A Different Perspective
Medical bias can persist despite evidence.
![“Several years ago I was lecturing in British Columbia. Dr [Simon] Wessely was speaking and he gave a thoroughly enjoyable lecture on M.E. and CFS. He had the hundreds of staff physicians laughing themselves silly over the invented griefs of the M.E. and CFS patients who according to Dr Wessely had…” quote by Byron Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b1/byron-hyde-181868_british-columbia_several-years-ago-i-was-lecturing-in-bri_1382328.jpg)
![“To replace ME/CFS, the [Institute of Medicine] committee proposes the name systemic exertion intolerance disease, or SEID. This name captures a central characteristic of the disease: the fact that exertion of any sort— physical, cognitive, or emotional—can adversely affect patients in many organ…” quote by Ellen Wright Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b1/ellen-wright-clayton-235558_cfs_to-replace-me-cfs-the-institute-of-medic_405286.jpg)
