Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Counselling

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition centred around symptoms of severe fatigue and exhaustion. It is also commonly known as ME, which stands for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis with the myalgia meaning muscle pain and the encephalomyelitis referring to an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Though the symptoms of CFS will inevitably vary from person to person the condition is often characterised by feelings of intense fatigue and exhaustion, along with difficulties involving memory, concentration and a general feeling of discomfort or lack of well-being. Many of these symptoms overlap with those of depression including poor concentration, extreme fatigue, and sleep disturbance; however, it is the prominence of the physical symptoms of CFS that separates diagnosis. If you suffer with CFS there will often be times when these symptoms diminish and you are able to enjoy everyday activities, but this can often be matched by times when the symptoms severely affect your everyday life, health and happiness. There is currently no cure for CFS, and so, consequently, treatment is primarily aimed at managing symptoms and helping the sufferer to adapt to daily life. Listed below are some of the main symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. Not everyone will experience each of these symptoms, and there maybe a host of other symptoms that are not listed here. These key symptoms must have been experienced for at least six months and be different to simply being ‘tired’.

How do I know if I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Signs include:

Severe fatigue that does not go away with sleep or rest
Muscular pain, joint pain or severe headaches
Physical or mental exertion makes symptoms worse
Sore throat
Impairment in short-term memory and concentration
Painful lymph nodes
Stomach pain and other problems such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and nausea
Sleeping problems such as insomnia or unrefreshing sleep
Sensitivity to light, loud noise, alcohol and certain foods
Skin sensations
Psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, irritability and panic attacks
Less common symptoms such as dizziness, excess sweating, balance problems, and difficulty controlling body temperature.

How can counselling help with chronic fatigue syndrome?

Although no current cure exists for CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome counsellors have proven instrumental in helping individuals manage their symptoms and overcome the psychological and emotional problems that surround this condition. In particular, feelings of stress, anger, fear, frustration and powerlessness can all worsen symptoms and lead to a vicious cycle of misery and ill health. Counselling can break these cycles by tackling these complex and powerful emotions and develop effective coping strategies to change the way you think, feel and behave. By identifying with your counsellor the thoughts and behaviours that lead to your unhappiness, you can begin to increase your sense of control over your condition and manage your symptoms more effectively.