This list of books, web pages and other resources have been suggested by our patients and clinicians.
There are many books available, and we have selected a few that we think are well-written and helpful. However, we also know that some people prefer different styles of writing and different approaches. We have written a summary of each book to give you an idea of the content. You should be able to request these books from your local library.
Books
Fighting Fatigue: Managing the Symptoms of CFS/ME (2009)
- Authors: Sue Pemberton and Catherine Berry
- Publisher: Hammersmith Press Limited
- ISBN: 9781905140282
- This book offers straightforward and specific expert advice, accompanied by real life stories, on managing different aspects of everyday life that can affect ME/CFS. Written by a healthcare professional and a person with M.E./CFS, they understand the way fatigue affects concentration and therefore break their guidance into easy-to-follow steps that can be worked through at the reader's own pace.
Coping Better With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for CFS/ME (2009)
- Authors: Bruce Fernie and Gabrielle Murphy
- Publisher: Karnac Books
- ISBN: 9781855755376
- This book is written to help patients to develop and apply new insights into overcoming some of their specific symptoms as well as coping with ME/CFS, both during the course of their therapy and afterwards. It provides a structure and framework for understanding ME/CFS and its effects as well as practical approached to help address some of the symptoms.
Websites
Action for ME
Action for ME’s website provides lots of information about ME/CFS including advice about benefits, welfare and employment rights, local resources, and information booklets you can download. We have worked closely with Action for ME to develop a self-management guide called Pacing for People with M.E. which can be downloaded free from this webpage: https://www.actionforme.org.uk/resources/our-publications/booklets/
The M.E. Association
https://meassociation.org.uk/about-the-mea/
The M.E. Association is a medical charity providing information about ME/CFS and funding research. They offer a wide range of information leaflets.
The British Association for Clinicians in ME/CFS (BACME)
BACME is a multidisciplinary organisation which promotes and support the delivery of evidenced based treatment for children, young people and adults with ME/CFS throughout the UK. BACME have written a Therapy Guide and a Symptom Management Guide, based on clinician expertise, patient experience and the best available evidence, and both are free to download from their website.
Access to Work
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition to help you:
- start working
- stay in work
- move into self-employment or start a business
North Bristol NHS Trust Pain Service website
The Pain Service website has a page on useful books, and another page on web links, which may be useful for people with ME/CFS that is causing significant pain.
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/pain-clinic-services/pain-clinic-useful-resources
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/pain-clinic-services/pain-clinic-useful-links
NHS Information
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guideline for ME/CFS
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng206
This guideline is about the care of people with ME/CFS in the NHS in England and Wales. The booklet explains guidance (advice) from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence). It is written for people with ME/CFS, and parents or carers of people with the condition. It may also be useful for other family members or for anyone with an interest in ME/CFS.
NHS Website
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/
An overview of ME/CFS and its management.
*Links checked 04/09/2022