Netflix Reality Series “Afflicted” Provokes Controversy and Outrage
Mold illness patient Bekah Fly was featured in the Netflix series “Afflicted.”
August 19, 2018
By Lisa Petrison, Ph.D.
A new Netflix series called “Afflicted” has prompted a good deal of discussion and considerable outrage in the chronic illness community, due to its suggestion that seven featured illness sufferers are likely psychologically rather than physically ill.
Individuals in the film had been diagnosed by clinicians with a range of conditions, including ME/CFS, mold-related illness, multiple chemical sensitivity, and Lyme disease (acute and chronic).
Many of the patients, family members and physicians featured in the program have spoken out publicly against the final version of the series, saying that their stories were distorted by the producers in the editing room to create the illusion of mental illness while removing almost all evidence of physiological illness.
Reviews from individuals who have viewed part or all of the series may be read on the website Afflicted Reviews, which is presented by Paradigm Change.
A group of more than three dozen scientists, writers, filmmakers and other high-profile individuals wrote an open letter to Netflix executives requesting that the series be removed from the service.
The same letter is available as a petition from ME Action and acquired more than 5,000 signatures in its first two days online.
Another petition has acquired more than 7,000 signatures.
Addendum: In August 2019, seven participants in the series filed suit against Netflix, claiming defamation and fraud.
Below are running lists of media and blog articles about the series.
Statements from Series Participants
Jamison Hill – September 7, 2018
Glen Zielinski – September 2018
Pilar Olave – August 23, 2018
Group Statement – August 19, 2018
Jamison Hill – August 19, 2018
Jesse Bercowetz – August 19, 2018
Nick Dinnerstein – August 19, 2018
Jake Sidwell – August 19, 2018
Jill Edelstein – August 19, 2018
Janine Feczko – August 19, 2018
Dietrich Klinghardt – August 17, 2018
Jake Sidwell – August 16, 2018
Other Discussion & Reviews
Law 360 – March 2, 2020
Digital Spy – August 19, 2019
MSN – August 8, 2019
Independent – August 8, 2019
Jezebel – August 8, 2019
The Mighty – August 8, 2019
Yahoo – August 8, 2019
Courthouse News – August 7, 2019
Deadline – August 7, 2019
The Wrap – August 7, 2019
Science-Based Medicine – November 26, 2018
Amen Clinic – October 1, 2018
Northern Star – September 30, 2018
Consumer Affairs – September 28, 2018
Nylon – September 28, 2018
Martha’s Vineyard Times – September 26, 2018
Virology Blog – September 24, 2018
Hollywood Reporter – September 20, 2018
Pacific Standard – September 20, 2018
Mic – September 20, 2018
The Mighty – September 19, 2018
The Guardian – September 18, 2018
LA Times – September 18, 2018
Pop Culture – September 16, 2018
Huffington Post – September 12, 2018
Huffington Post – September 11, 2018
Erica Verrillo – September 8, 2018
Diary of a Disabled Person – September 2, 2018
The Elephant in the Room – September 2, 2018
A Cottage Creek Life – August 29, 2018
Patheos – August 26, 2018
Daily Mail – August 23, 2018
The Independent Florida Alligator – August 23, 2018
Occupy M.E. – August 21, 2018
Decider – August 21, 2018
Mahala’s New Normal – August 19, 2018
Solana Armstrong – August 18, 2018
Finder – August 16, 2018
The Mighty – August 16, 2018
John Teufel – August 15, 2018
ME Action – August 14, 2018
Huffington Post – August 14, 2018
Solona Armstrong – August 13, 2018
Goosed – August 12, 2018
The Daily Dot – August 11, 2018
The Review Geek – August 11, 2018
Decider – August 10, 2018
Ready Steady Cut – August 10, 2018
ME Action – August 9, 2018
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).