As with all so-called ‘medically unexplained syndromes’ there is a vigorous debate about whether it is a physical or a mental disorder. This dichotomous perspective in problematic: the frustrated physician who can ‘find nothing physical’ says it is psychological, the offended patient hears that as imagined and insists that it is real and physical ; all too often conflict ensues. This Radio 4 documentary programme is about the experience of a BBC reporter who suffers from symptoms attributed to multiple chemical sensitivity. She describes her journey in search of an explanation and the challenge of accepting uncertainty in dialogue with Professor Michael Sharpe (@21mins).
Michael Sharpe comments on Multiple chemical sensitivity
1 April 2015
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a controversial diagnosis used to describe people who experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms that they attribute to chemical exposure.