About Us
We are a non-profit organization
offering low-cost online self-help
courses and other resources for people affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and
fibromyalgia. Founded in 1998, we have conducted more than 200 self-help
groups as of Summer, 2007. We also maintain this website, which contains
more than 125 articles on how to live with CFS and FM.
Our program was created by Bruce
Campbell, Ph.D. Dr. Campbell is a recovered CFS patient who,
before becoming ill, was a consultant to self-help programs for chronic illness at
the Stanford University Medical School.
Mission and Programs
Our mission is to improve the quality
of life for people touched by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia
through offering self-help classes and information on CFS and FM.
Because of the professional background of our founder, we can offer
programs that are based on proven self-management principles. Because we
are a volunteer-run organization, we can offer our courses and other
resources at low cost.
Self-Help
Groups
We
offer three online courses and groups for people with Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia. All
are conducted as email discussion groups. The
starting point for patients is the introductory self-management course.
Two free follow-up programs are
open to course graduates: an advanced course and an ongoing discussion
group. Our classes for patients are
taught by trained volunteer moderators, all
of whom are people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or fibromyalgia.
Articles
We
maintain an archive of articles on
managing CFS and fibromyalgia. Topics include basic facts about CFS and
FM, coping strategies, treatment options, pacing, support, and stress
management. The archive also includes a set of success
stories, personal accounts by CFS and fibromyalgia patients.
Book
and CD
The
text for our self-help course for patients may be purchased separately.
We also offer our self-management course in a self-study version on CDs.
For information, see our Books and CDs page.
Our
Approach
Our
approach to managing CFS and fibromyalgia is based on three key ideas.
1)
Self-Management
By refining existing
abilities and developing new skills, people with CFS and fibromyalgia can
change the impact of their illness and may even change its course.
2)
Multiple Coping Strategies
Because
people with CFS
and FM
usually have more than one symptom and symptoms often have multiple causes, it is helpful to
use multiple coping strategies.
3)
Support
Through
a group, people can connect with others who share a similar condition.
Such contact may counteract isolation and provide coping strategies,
comfort and models of successful adaptation.
Articles About Our
Program
