Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: clinical assessment and treatment.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are closely related illnesses of uncertain etiology. This article reviews the research literature on these biobehavioral conditions, with an emphasis on explanatory models, clinical evaluation of comorbid psychiatric disorders, assessment of stress factors, pharmacologic and alternative therapies, and cognitive-behavioral treatment studies. Furthermore, clinical protocols suitable for professional practice are presented based on an integration of the authors' clinical observations with published data. The article concludes with the recognition that mental health professionals can offer substantial help to these patients.
Friedberg
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Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA. ffriedbe@ct1.nai.net
Jason
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents