By Sana Amos
On 12 May people across the globe are taking part in events for
International M.E. awareness day, to help create a greater understanding of the impact the illness has on
individual lives. M.E. is a chronic,
debilitating condition which has a wide range of symptoms
that can vary in type and intensity.
The condition is still widely misunderstood,as for
many years controversy surrounded the question of whether it was a physical or
mental illness.It is now classified by the World Health Organisation as a
neurological condition.
Speaking about the controversy
surrounding M.E. Tony Britton, Publicity
Manager at the ME Association, said: “This illness
is genuine, it's neurological, it affects 250,000 children and adults in the
UK, and for the vast majority it's definitely not 'all in the mind'. A
large amount of research is taking place round the world nowadays in the hopes
of finding new treatments and a cure, but we're not there yet.”
He added: “While we're doing that, we still have to
convince the sceptics, and there are many of them, that M.E. is not a mental
disorder.”
As a person who suffers from M.E. I understand the
struggle and frustration that comes with this illness. It was hard enough to personally
accept that I have this condition, as much it was to get the health
professionals to understand that I was not “just tired or stressed”. For the
past three years it has impacted and changed every aspect of my life.
This is why it is great that various organisations
and individuals are using the day to make themselves heard, including two
organisations that have provided me with immense support. The ME
Association are launching a new report to
show how existing therapies do not necessarily work and Action For ME is publishing case studies to highlight the impact the
illness has on individuals lives.
To find out more about International M.E. Awareness
Day and how you can get involved visit the May 12th
Facebook page.
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