The medical term myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome – in short ME/CFS – refers to a multi-systemic disease with devastating effects: It usually occurs as a result of infectious diseases, but other causes can also trigger this serious illness.

Although ME/CFS was classified as a neurological disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as early as 1969 (then referred to as ME), it remains misunderstood in politics, the medical profession and society to this day: Those affected are stigmatised and psychologised, and there is no medication, treatment or therapy. The situation has worsened dramatically with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic, the number of people suffering from ME/CFS was estimated to be at least 17 million worldwide; with Long COVID and the post effects of the COVID vaccination, millions more are affected - the WHO estimates 36 million Long COVID sufferers in Europe alone. Will this finally trigger an overdue rethinking?

Film Discussion with:
Daniela Schmidt-Langels &  Sibylle Dahrendorf (Co-Directors)

moderated by: Claudia Neumeier (Science Journalist)

Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
Science Year 2026 – Medicine of the Future