ME/CFS: An Organic Disorder

Purpose: To establish that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a physical disorder, countering efforts to classify it as a psychiatric or behavioral condition.

Key Points:

1. WHO and Official Recognition:
   • The WHO confirmed in 2014 that ME/CFS is not classified as a mental or behavioral disorder in ICD-10 or proposed for ICD-11.
   • The UK government accepted this stance, reinforcing ME/CFS as a physical illness.
2. Historical Legal Context:
   • The UK High Court recognized ME/CFS as a genuine physical condition in 1992, rejecting claims that it is psychological.
   • Despite ongoing legal challenges, the condition’s physical nature was upheld in a landmark case spanning multiple appeals.
3. Key Evidence from Legal Cases:
   • Experts provided evidence of immune system activation and viral involvement as possible causes of ME/CFS.
   • Persistent skepticism from some medical professionals was noted, yet court judgments confirmed the condition’s physical basis.
4. Challenges with Classification:
   • Psychiatric lobbies continue to promote ME/CFS as a mental disorder, but case law supports its organic origins.
   • The reclassification attempts face significant opposition from patients, researchers, and advocates.

Target Audience: Patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates working to understand and support ME/CFS as a physical illness.

Overall Outcome: The document underscores ME/CFS as a legitimate physical disorder, reinforcing the importance of accurate diagnosis, informed care, and resistance to psychiatric misclassification. It advocates for continued recognition and research to uncover its underlying biological mechanisms.