Despite this, ME / CFS is still underestimated and downplayed by some. Patients are largely left on their own with the message that it is ‘in the head’ and could be resolved with psychotherapy or more physical exercise. The same now sometimes happens with “long-covid”.
In the case of ME / CFS, this misunderstanding has led to underfunding of necessary scientific research, leading to no scientific progress for decades. Only with more high-quality studies can the cause be discovered and a diagnostic test and ultimately an effective treatment developed.
In the US, Canada, and Australia, scientific research into ME / CFS is finally starting to get underway in the last decade, thanks to government funding. It turns out that there are obvious physical abnormalities that can explain the symptoms. The Netherlands has also recently taken a hopeful step to set up a biomedical research program.
The European Parliament has also adopted a resolution calling on Member States to take action in this area. The costs in Europe amount to 40 billion per year. So there is not only a humane duty, but there is also an economic motivation to solve this disease.
–
