Question
Please can you explain what biopsychosocial (BPS) means. I keep seeing this term in internet discussions on ME.
Answer
BPS or Bio-Psycho-Social is a way of describing the cause and/or the management of ME/CFS.
It is not a term that the MEA endorses.
The Bio part basically means that a biological event such as an infection or immunisation has triggered an illness. However, in the case of ME/CFS, existing evidence indicates that virus has not persisted. So this finding is often interpreted by doctors who like to classify ME/CFS as a BPS condition to mean that there is no longer any biological/Bio involvement present.
Psychosocial means that an illness is being primarily wholly or partially perpetrated by psychological and/or social factors. So management should primarily consist of behavioural interventions such as CBT which are meant to address abnormal illness beliefs and behaviours. Whilst accepting that any long-term debilitating illness is going to have social and psychological effects, the emphasis in the BPS model of causation and management of ME/CFS is normally
placed on these two factors rather than any biological mechanisms. So BPS is not a term that we use in relation to ME/CFS.
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
We recommend that the medical information is discussed with your doctor. It is not intended to be a substitute for personalised medical advice or treatment. You should consult your doctor whenever a new symptom arises, or an existing symptom worsens. It is important to obtain medical advice that considers other causes and possible treatments. Do not assume that new or worsened symptoms are solely because of ME/CFS or Long Covid.