Closed UK: Research on how young adults (aged 16-24) with ME/CFS talk about their identity (Emma Williams, Final year trainee counselling psychologist)

Emma Williams - UoM ME/CFS researcher
@MECFSatUoM

Final year trainee counselling psychologist at The University of Manchester. Researching how young adults (aged 16-24) with ME/CFS talk about their identity

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Anyone know anything more about her and/or this project and whether this might be worth highlighting more widely?

 

I know some people are going to criticise the project, but it is worth researching - I still don't have a defined/comfortable identity and I was ill before I was 16.

 

I agree this is an important topic. I was in my 30s when my ME started and I had completed my education, had a career and developed a friendship circle. I am very grateful for the opportunities I had pre ME and know how different I would have been as a person had my onset been significantly earlier.

However, without more information it is hard to know if such research would progress our understanding and management of ME or cause more problems for young people with ME. It depends very much on the researcher. This reads potentially positive, but I delayed commenting in the hope that someone might know more.

 

Her later tweets don't sound v encouraging.

Emma Williams - UoM ME/CFS researcher
@MECFSatUoM
·
17 Jul

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, also called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME/CFS, is chronic, fluctuating condition with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness ME/CFS affects the individual's ability to recover after expending energy (even a small amount)

Hi, I'm Emma, a final year counselling psychology student conducting research into ME/CFS in young adults. Am super passionate about ME/CFS and have the privilege of working with individuals with ME/CFS day-to-day in the NHS

 

"my research isn’t diagnostic led, so as long as individuals have experience of chronic fatigue they can take part. No diagnosis required."

 

@Joan Crawford posted the following to the Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group’s Facebook page:

See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1463401580612062 (Sorry I could not work out how to link to the post itself, so you need to scroll down to a couple of days ago on the group page. Emma William’s contact details are in the original post.)

[edited to remove Emma William’s email and phone number because I was not sure if it is appropriate for me to share it]

 

Hi Hutan,
I've been in touch with her and chatted with her about her work. I have mentioned this forum along with sources of history etc.
Bw
Joan

 

welcome @EmmaUoMResearcher