- Wessely S, Hotopf M, Sharpe M (1998) Chronic Fatigue and its syndromes. Oxford University Press, Oxford. A well-referenced and readable text (just over 400 pages long) that covers the field of chronic fatigue in depth and offers detailed guidance on management.
- Chalder T (1995) Coping with chronic fatigue. Sheldon Press, London. This is a small paperback book that is easy to read and understand. It offers practical advice and draws on years of experience. It is primarily a 'self-help book'for patients and is certainly to be recommended but it is equally useful for health care professionals as it dispels many myths that surround the illness.
- Hotopf M & Wessely S (1999) Chronic fatigue syndrome-mapping the interior. Psychol Med 29: 255-258. A succinct and critical review of the research in the field that has a useful reference list.
- Fukuda K, Strauss S, Hickie I, Sharpe M, Dobbins J and Komaroff (1994) The chronic fatigue syndrome-a comprehensive approach to its definition and study, Ann Intern Med 121: 953-959. Defines chronic fatigue syndrome for the purposes of research. However table 1 in the text above is sufficient for clinical use.
- Vollmer-Conna U, Lloyd A, Hickie I and Wakefield D (1998) Chronic fatigue syndrome: an immunologie al perspective, Aus NZ J Psychiatry 32: 523-527. An interesting paper that discusses the possible role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of CFS. A useful paper for those that are interested in the aetiology of the illness.
- Reid S, Chalder T, Cleare A, Hotopf M and Wessely S (2000) Chronic fatigue syndrome, BMJ 320 (7230): 292-296. An up to date critical review of the clinical evidence in support of the various forms of therapy (e.g. antidepressants, corticosteroids, graded exercise, magnesium injections, prolonged rest, evening primrose oil, immunoglobulins and cognitive behavioural therapy), used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
Volume 4, 2000 - Issue 4