Background

With increased prevalence of chronic disease, a number of illnesses attributed to environmental exposures have arisen. These include:¹

• Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
• Sick building syndrome
• Post 9/11 syndrome
• Silicone breast implant intolerance
• Gulf War syndrome
• Toxic mold syndrome
• Electromagnetic field intolerance.

These highly controversial diagnoses are often classed as functional somatic syndromes. People with these illnesses:²

• Experience suffering, symptoms and disabilities greater than any measurable tissue abnormality
• Tend to be highly involved in self-diagnosis
• Find it difficult to be reassured by others about their illness
• Are more likely to seek out explanations for common symptoms
• Tend to be suspicious of health care providers or to seek providers who share their belief systems
• Place much more importance on biomedical over psychosocial explanations for their symptoms
• Struggle more with mental health issues.

Because these illnesses can be quite disabling at many levels, with a high negative impact on daily functioning, ability to work, and healthcare costs, it is vital for healthcare providers to know how best to help people who experience them.