Relevance of phase theory to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Psychology and Education -- an Interdisciplinary Journal, 40,
20-26 (2003)

Jason, L.A., Fricano, G., & Klein, S. M.

This paper  examines different stage-theories in an effort to
better understand and predict patient and family reactions to chronic
illnesses. The concept of phases can provide caregivers and psychologists
with a better idea of how patients might be feeling, especially when
dealing with difficult to understand illnesses such as chronic fatigue
syndrome.  Although stage theories provide significant heuristic
contributions to many scientific disciplines, these models have also
sustained considerable criticism. Such models need to be carefully
validated in order to prevent erroneous conclusions from being made.