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Recognise ME: Memoir documenting the raw journey through medical gaslighting as a chronic illness patient
MEDICAL GASLIGHTING MEMOIR by author Anneke Vliegen, diagnosed with a combination of chronic, rare, barely visible and fluctuating diseases.
Anneke describes her journey to happiness, after a misdiagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) brought her condescendence, humiliation and neglect. For twenty years, this medical gaslighting continued until she was close to death. The discovery of adrenal insufficiency, lupus and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) led to improved care and respect.
The medical world had heard Anneke’s hooves, and assumed she needed to be treated like a horse. It turned out she was a zebra - one of the exceptions to the rules. There are all sorts of hooved species which get missed or mistreated. Shame and guilt stop many from sharing their experience. By telling her story Anneke hopes to raise awareness. It offers recognition, insight and hope. Prevention and a more effective therapeutic process are the aim.
Readers are
"I've never started to read a book that I could identify with as much as this!" - Shelley Knight - ME, fibromyalgia and MCAS patient
"I would recommend this book to anyone living with or those who know someone living with a chronic condition" - Lizzy Kee - Occupational Therapist and EDS patient
"It was so compelling and I learnt such a lot. I was right there with Anneke's family at every step. The writing is great; clear, lively and engaging" - Tracey Martin - Carer and Quaker advocacy representative
Anneke describes her journey to happiness, after a misdiagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) brought her condescendence, humiliation and neglect. For twenty years, this medical gaslighting continued until she was close to death. The discovery of adrenal insufficiency, lupus and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) led to improved care and respect.
The medical world had heard Anneke’s hooves, and assumed she needed to be treated like a horse. It turned out she was a zebra - one of the exceptions to the rules. There are all sorts of hooved species which get missed or mistreated. Shame and guilt stop many from sharing their experience. By telling her story Anneke hopes to raise awareness. It offers recognition, insight and hope. Prevention and a more effective therapeutic process are the aim.
Readers are
"I've never started to read a book that I could identify with as much as this!" - Shelley Knight - ME, fibromyalgia and MCAS patient
"I would recommend this book to anyone living with or those who know someone living with a chronic condition" - Lizzy Kee - Occupational Therapist and EDS patient
"It was so compelling and I learnt such a lot. I was right there with Anneke's family at every step. The writing is great; clear, lively and engaging" - Tracey Martin - Carer and Quaker advocacy representative
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 14, 2024
Amazing story!
This book was an amazing source for anyone with chronic illness or autoimmune diseases. I could not put it down all night long. Anneke is such a huge inspiration. Totally worth the read. I promise.
This book was an amazing source for anyone with chronic illness or autoimmune diseases. I could not put it down all night long. Anneke is such a huge inspiration. Totally worth the read. I promise.
July 8, 2026
I loved this memoir and found it very relatable as someone with ME and a connective tissue disorder along with other chronic illnesses. Anneke takes you along on her journey with what its like having severe ME, other chronic illnesses and all the challenges that go with it while being a wife and a mum.
A story of the struggles of chronic illness, the struggles to be heard, the struggle with getting necessary help that is needed and essential for wellbeing and health. Along with trying and finding strategies to help symptoms. Anneke trying to stay optimistic and find positivity during everything.
An important read for raising awareness of ME which in some countries like New Zealand where ME is not classed as a disability which it needs to be. A great read for anyone who is chronically Ill, disabled or living with rare diseases and those who care for people with ME or have a loved one or friend with this.
A story of the struggles of chronic illness, the struggles to be heard, the struggle with getting necessary help that is needed and essential for wellbeing and health. Along with trying and finding strategies to help symptoms. Anneke trying to stay optimistic and find positivity during everything.
An important read for raising awareness of ME which in some countries like New Zealand where ME is not classed as a disability which it needs to be. A great read for anyone who is chronically Ill, disabled or living with rare diseases and those who care for people with ME or have a loved one or friend with this.
June 13, 2025
An impressive intimate view on rare chronic illness and the relentless pain caused not only by the failing body but also from the stupidity of the processes that should help you fight it. Reading the struggle for optimism in this beautiful narratives leaves you wondering how they managed to get here.
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December 27, 2024An important read to bring awareness to the challenges and strategies of navigating life with chronic illness and rare / invisible conditions.
August 11, 2024
This is a great read for anyone who likes a lively memoir where you also learn a lot. It's lively and humorous while, at the same time giving you on insight into what it's like to live with an undiagnosed illness. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews