[vaelin]

I have ME/CFS. The evidence has been clear that it is a physical condition for quite a while now. In fact, the Institute of Medicine clarified that point in a thorough report in 2015:

> The primary message of the committee’s report is that ME/CFS is a serious, chronic, complex, systemic disease that often can profoundly affect the lives of patients.

>Many health care providers are skeptical about the seriousness of ME/CFS, mistake it for a mental health condition, or consider it a figment of the patient’s imagination. Misconceptions or dismissive attitudes on the part of health care providers make the path to diagnosis long and frustrating for many patients. The committee stresses that health care providers should acknowledge ME/CFS as a serious illness that requires timely diagnosis and appropriate care. [1]

Having said that, I am obviously delighted by this study for a whole host of reasons. A diagnostic test will be hugely beneficial in driving home the message that it is not, in fact, an imaginary condition. It will also be beneficial in testing treatment outcomes, as the lack of a test has made gauging treatment efficacy very challenging.

There are a lot of hurdles to overcome yet, but we are FINALLY on the right path.

[1] Quotes contained in the Key Brief PDF - http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2015/ME-CFS.asp...