Suffering and the Social Construction of Illness: The Delegitimation of Illness Experience in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

摘要: The author examines suffering engendered by the socially constituted nature of illness through delegitimation experience in chronic fatigue syndrome. Cultural meanings physical and mental are shown to be reflected interactions with others construct an reality which syndrome is defined as either nonexistent or psychosomatic. Disconfirmation subjective leads arising from threatened stigma psychological disorder, alienation resulting a decision keep secret, shame being wrong one's definition reality. Patients also develop strategies for contesting “not real.” Delegitimation merits further exploration category experience-near analysis medical anthropology.