Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not all in the mind

CHRONIC Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) involves so much more than just fatigue, it is not ‘all in the mind’ – but it may be partly in the brain.
The World Health Organisation has recognised this as a neurological disease since 1993.
More accurate names have emerged such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), which indicates the illness involves problems in the brain, nervous system and immune system.
In approximately 80 per cent of people with ME/CFS the illness follows a known viral infection such as Glandular Fever or Ross River Fever.
ME/CFS involves bewildering symptoms. These include frequent colds or ‘flu-like symptoms, needing to sleep 15 hours but waking up still tired, days of sickness after even small exertions, mind ‘fogs’ where it’s hard to concentrate, plan or think clearly.
Chronic pain, aching joints and muscles, sensitivity to light, sound, and heat/cold, headaches, allergies and an irritable digestive system are other symptoms.
These are just some of the common symptoms; each person usually has most of these as well as more unique ones.
The symptoms can change day to day and even hour to hour. It can affect anyone, from teenagers to people in their 50s and older.
With the body under this type of stress, little wonder life can be turned upside down for sufferers.
Holding down a full-time job or study is often not possible, relationships are strained, and people, even some doctors, don’t believe or support you.
Sometimes poverty, isolation, depression and anxiety can follow.
There is no complete cure yet; however there are ways to manage and treat the illness and its effects on life. For family members who struggle to know how to support someone with this condition, there are also ways to handle the stress, sadness and frustration that can occur.
For people with ME/CFS, and their family members or carers, in the Yarra Valley, a Support and Education Course called ‘What about ME’ is being run in fourth term by the Yarra Valley Community Health Service (Ph: 1300 130 381). The facilitator is YVCHS counsellor Dr Kaileen Pearson, Psychologist.