crime fiction - Cappelen Damm

Jørgen JelstadHidden AwayHow ME Became the MostControversial Illness TodayDe bortgjemteThe most severely ill patients lie in sound- and lightproofrooms, masks covering their eyes, flat on theirback in beds they never leave and hardly able to beardrawing a deep breath while resting. Many are fedthrough a nasal tube. And many are youths or youngadults, whose next of kin spend years caring forthem because no other options are available.Jørgen Jelstad introduces us into many of thesehomes, where most of those involved feel theyare disbelieved because this illness is classed as apsychiatric condition. The author’s mother is anME sufferer and he writes from personal experience. But he also writes as someone informedabout Norwegian and international research and is able to help us understand this mysteriouscondition and why health professionals find it so controversial.‘De bortgjemte has become a compelling book which is often harrowingreading. The language is to the point, the analyses are crystal clear andthe documentary presentation shifts effectively between individual casesand medical issues … It is no longer possible to use ”mental” after JørgenJelstad’s comprehensive disclosure of medical ignorance and arrogance.Although there are doctors who meet ME patients with respect, a recent[Norwegian] survey reveals the medical profession’s ignorance.’KlassekampenFitness and HealthNon-Fiction▶Jørgen Jelstad (1979–) is a freelance journalist. He livesin Oslo. Jelstad’s mother is badly affected by ME (ChronicFatigue Syndrome).105