The mystery disease

From Skepticism to Science / After 20 years, chronic fatigue syndrome may finally be getting some respect and cutting-edge science

This article is a nice summary about the history of how doctors have related to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well as what researchers are up against in trying to figure out its pathology and epidemiology.

I don't understand why doctors are so dismissive of something just because it doesn't necessarily make sense to them. Is it that big a threat to their world view? Why would you immediately jump to the conclusion that someone is faking it when your tests, which are man made and therefore fallible, show up normal? I suppose there are some people who really do enjoy spending their lives going to doctors appointments and getting tests that will someday be looked upon as crude and even barbaric. But I must say, I've never actually met one of these hypochondriacs. Just about everyone I know would rather be doing a zillion other things than living life as a professional patient.