Exploring the beliefs and underlying functional deficits associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and the identification of predictors of recovery and successful illness management

<p>  </p> <p>Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is described as an illness that produces a marked reduction in</p> <p>activity and an increase in mental fatigue. The condition, as the name suggests, is chronic</p> <p>in nature and is of sufficient severity to cause substantial functional impairment to the</p> <p>sufferer and exerts a significant financial strain on healthcare and welfare resources. It</p> <p>was the culmination of these factors which prompted the call for structured and wide-ranging</p> <p>programmes of research in the United Kingdom. The research project described</p> <p>in the following chapters was conducted in response to this call. The preliminary</p> <p>narrative begins with a brief introduction to the project's scope, a description of the</p> <p>clinical setting for the project and the participants taking part and will end with an</p> <p>account of my involvement in the research.</p>