Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Organic Disease or Psychosomatic Illness? A Re-Examination of the Royal Free Epidemic of 1955

Background and Objectives: Controversy exists over whether myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an organic disease or a psychosomatic illness. ME/CFS usually occurs as sporadic cases, but epidemics (outbreaks) have occurred worldwide. Myalgic encephalomyelitis was named to describe an outbreak affecting the lymphatic, muscular, and nervous systems that closed the Royal Free hospital for three months in 1955. Fifteen years later, two psychiatrists concluded that epidemic hysteria was the likely cause. ME/CFS research studies show multiple pathophysiological differences between patients and controls and a possible etiological role for infectious organisms, but the belief that ME/CFS is psychosomatic is widespread and has been specifically supported by the epidemic hysteria hypothesis for the Royal Free outbreak. Our objective was to obtain accounts from ex-Royal Free hospital staff who personally experienced the 1955 outbreak and evaluate evidence for it being an infectious illness versus epidemic hysteria. Materials and Methods: Statements in the newsletters of two organizations for staff who had worked at the Royal Free hospital invited anyone who had experienced the 1955 Royal Free outbreak to contact the authors. Accounts of the outbreak from telephone interviews and letters were evaluated against the “epidemic hysteria hypothesis” paper and original medical staff reports. Results: Twenty-seven ex-Royal Free hospital staff, including six who had developed ME, provided descriptions typical of an infectious illness affecting the lymphatic, muscular, and nervous systems, and were not consistent with epidemic hysteria. Conclusions: The 1955 Royal Free hospital epidemic of myalgic encephalomyelitis was an organic infectious disease, not psychogenic epidemic hysteria.

SHAVASANA: HARMONI DAN PENYEMBUHAN PENYAKIT TUBUH DAN PIKIRAN

Present era, people are faced with competition of various aspects, resulting in a culture of high tension. The tension that occurs causes the anatomy of the body is disturbed, even the damage that causes the balance of the body and mind problems. This disharmony becomes a common illness, stress, a psychosomatic disorder that can only be healed through inward healing or relaxation. Yoga is one method to overcome the problem and restore harmony between body and mind, so it can be felt directly on health. Asana is part of yoga. Asana has many postures. For deep relaxation can be done with shavasana. Through the shavasana the body and mind enter into relaxation and release the tension from the whole anatomy of the body. Similarly, shavasana can cure stress because replacing the negative emotional sediment in the self into a positive emotion. Stress occurs when a person can not solve the problem that comes due to the difference between the desire with reality. Therefore, shavasana through proper relaxation and breathing and done at the right time, psychosomatic illness can be cured.<br /><br />

Our Health through Integrated Process – A Review

<p>Working on integrating olden, traditional ways of alternative medicine, yogic techniques and positive psychology with mindfulness meditations, the author felt the alarming rates of depression is increasing in the society, intolerance, impatience and stress being the most evidently seen which led to this approach of positive psychology integrating with some alternative modalities. Many chronic disorders, diseases are largely out of severe stress which leads to psychosomatic illness and disorders. This present paper attempts to review the relation between psychosomatic illness and alternative medicine impact in treating patients. Also suggest further to use this as remedial practice for the future.</p>