Afflicted

This series is about Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS), which are exactly what you would expect them to be. Except that label is usually used as an alternative to hysteria, hypochondria, and psychosomatism. Basically it means that someone doesn't think symptoms are bodily, but instead are generated in the mind.

To support this hypothesis, fringe examples are given. The gas-mask wearers, the woman who's primarily sick when her disconnected husband is around, the people who spend absurd amounts of money chasing every bit of false hope dangled under their noses.

The one good think in this movie is that it highlights the shameless quackery and exploitation that sick people are subjected to. Unfortunately, the contrast is offered in the form of several "experts" pontificating on the emotional origin of physical symptoms. The series does nothing to explain that psychosomatic hypotheses are entirely unproven in chronic illness (versus, for example, a temporary increase in heart rate from being frightened), and indeed ultimately untestable and unprovable - ergo unscientific.

Needless to say, they also do not explore that psychosomatic hypothesis have an abysmal track record. Gastric ulcers? Used to be stress before the bacteria was found. Multiple Sclerosis? Hysterical housewives until the MRI was invented and showed brain abnormalities.

This series was especially befuddling because it included ME/CFS, which has already been proven not be psychosomatic. A few denialists still clam it is, but the basis for their beliefs is just as shoddy and marginalized as those who still believe AIDS is caused by a stressful lifestyle, or autism is caused by emotionally distant mothers. There are literally thousands of research papers document abnormalities, especially with the immune system and energy production. There are objective and widely used tests which have been around for decades and provide incontrovertible proof of biomedical dysfunction.

This series could have been good if it focused on the exploitation of the patients, which was both rampant and disgusting. Instead it judged the cause of their symptoms, essentially dismissing their experiences and awareness of their own bodies. In the process, disinformation has been spread to whoever watches this series, and patients with similar diagnoses face an increased threat of negligence and abuse as a result.

An opportunity missed to help those with ME and educate the idiots who think it's psychosomatic. Do you really think we'd choose a life with "forever flu", unremitting pain and utter exhaustion? There is enough evidence showing mitochondrial disfunction!

As a long-time sufferer of ME/CFS I was insulted by the way these people were portrayed. They were presented in a light which made them appear to be hypochondriacs, and while there may be some over-the-top crazies in any group, that does not negate the seriousness and realness of these conditions. I was hoping this would finally bring some much needed facts and information to light about my condition, but instead it just furthered the stigma. Very disappointing.

Ok, I can see that this show has touched a nerve in many reviewers. I can imagine the frustration of folks suffering with undiagnosed illnesses. I myself have been dealing with depression and anxiety as well as chronic back pain. I have been trying to find good treatments for years and have found little. Any of these shows can tend towards being a freak show, but I didn't feel that the series is overtly trying to do this. These disorders are hard to wrap your head around, but I do believe that it gives a glimpse into this world. Are these folks suffering from physical conditions or are they psychological. Either way, they are suffering and while the series presents itself as a bit of a freak show, I think it is intriguing enough to engender some empathy from the ignorant, myself including. What is clear is that there is a world of hucksters praying on these folks, which makes me angry. Many of the rouge treatments seem to be completely made up or back themselves up with fake science. They likely make a lot of money off of these folks. To be honest, I am on my second episode, but am intrigued enough to continue. If you are interested in medical mysteries, check this out.

The ME community has been fighting for years to get the recognition, and funding, that this illness deserves. The programme makers have manipulated the evidence in a way that perpetrates the myths around ME. This is a serious neurological illness, unfortunately this is not shown. Shame on you Netflix, please don't watch.