When illnesses are confusing, without clear causal mechanisms or sharply-defined symptoms, they are often considered psychosomatic, and there's a consistent pattern of poor handling by federal agencies, researchers, doctors, and the media. AIDS, multiple sclerosis, chronic Lyme disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome are all cases of this.
In an SFI lunchtime seminar video, SFI journalism fellow Julie Rehmeyer -- who has witnessed these missteps firsthand with regards to chronic fatigue syndrome -- explores the reasons for, and potential solutions to, this troubling pattern.
Watch the seminar video (69 minutes, February 26, 2014)