How does ME/CFS start?
There are numerous ways of developing Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) along with Fibromyalgia (FM). Some common causes include - viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The cause can also be connected to a stressful incident or period in a persons life. The common factor is that the person's system is under stress.
What is happening when we are under stress?
As a result of entering this state we produce a cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. This powerful group of chemicals is also produced during the fight or flight response - this is the natural process that is triggered in reaction to a threat - either real or perceived.
Many physiological changes occur during fight or flight
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for a number of changes taking place. Heart rate and blood pressure increase in order to supply additional fuel to the major muscles. Blood sugar and thyroid levels are affected. Nonessential functions including digestion and immune system shut down allowing more energy for emergency systems.
How are the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome connected?
The initial virus, bug, trauma, vaccination etc. has already under put the system under stress. If there were other stressors present or the person was run-down at the time, the recovery period could be prolonged. If the recovery is slow this can be a cause for concern, which results in more stress. The immune system, which is already challenged becomes depleted, further slowing the process of recovery.
Seeking Help
Sufferers are typically tested for other ailments by their doctors. After receiving the negative test results, the symptoms persist. People often turn to alternative approaches. Some people get temporary relief, but again the symptoms come back. It's common for people to lose trust in their body and energy levels. This can help to further entrench the stress - symptom - stress cycle.
The stress response over the long-term
The system becomes depleted when subjected to the stress response over the long-term. The chemistry designed to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system becomes depleted and most other bodily systems are disrupted. Adrenalin levels can become depleted after prolonged activation. The dysregulation of stress chemistry is responsible for more fatigue and physical symptoms.
Is it all in the mind?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is certainly not all in the mind. It's a physical and debilitating illness affecting most bodily systems. However, purely physical approaches to recovery, or those that focus on specific symptoms rarely work. We need to recognize that the mechanisms that trigger these physiological responses are very much a part of the mind. Until these patterns are addressed, full recovery over the long term is unlikely.
How do we break these cycles?
It is possible to break free of these cycles and it can be done quickly, given the right tools. Fortunately, the length of time of the illness does not determine the length of the recovery time. What's needed is an understanding of the mind - body connection and an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles. We can then learn to use new physical and cognitive strategies that influence our health in a positive way.
Health is incredibly buoyant!
It is common for people with fatigue conditions to feel flawed or broken. This is certainly not the case, although it can feel as if it is, due to the severity of the physical symptoms. Health is incredibly buoyant, it is just a case of discovering what is in the way. Once we can bring balance to the system, we can create the opportunity for the symptoms to naturally resolve and energy to return.
There are numerous ways of developing Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) along with Fibromyalgia (FM). Some common causes include - viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The cause can also be connected to a stressful incident or period in a persons life. The common factor is that the person's system is under stress.
What is happening when we are under stress?
As a result of entering this state we produce a cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. This powerful group of chemicals is also produced during the fight or flight response - this is the natural process that is triggered in reaction to a threat - either real or perceived.
Many physiological changes occur during fight or flight
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for a number of changes taking place. Heart rate and blood pressure increase in order to supply additional fuel to the major muscles. Blood sugar and thyroid levels are affected. Nonessential functions including digestion and immune system shut down allowing more energy for emergency systems.
How are the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome connected?
The initial virus, bug, trauma, vaccination etc. has already under put the system under stress. If there were other stressors present or the person was run-down at the time, the recovery period could be prolonged. If the recovery is slow this can be a cause for concern, which results in more stress. The immune system, which is already challenged becomes depleted, further slowing the process of recovery.
Seeking Help
Sufferers are typically tested for other ailments by their doctors. After receiving the negative test results, the symptoms persist. People often turn to alternative approaches. Some people get temporary relief, but again the symptoms come back. It's common for people to lose trust in their body and energy levels. This can help to further entrench the stress - symptom - stress cycle.
The stress response over the long-term
The system becomes depleted when subjected to the stress response over the long-term. The chemistry designed to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system becomes depleted and most other bodily systems are disrupted. Adrenalin levels can become depleted after prolonged activation. The dysregulation of stress chemistry is responsible for more fatigue and physical symptoms.
Is it all in the mind?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is certainly not all in the mind. It's a physical and debilitating illness affecting most bodily systems. However, purely physical approaches to recovery, or those that focus on specific symptoms rarely work. We need to recognize that the mechanisms that trigger these physiological responses are very much a part of the mind. Until these patterns are addressed, full recovery over the long term is unlikely.
How do we break these cycles?
It is possible to break free of these cycles and it can be done quickly, given the right tools. Fortunately, the length of time of the illness does not determine the length of the recovery time. What's needed is an understanding of the mind - body connection and an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles. We can then learn to use new physical and cognitive strategies that influence our health in a positive way.
Health is incredibly buoyant!
It is common for people with fatigue conditions to feel flawed or broken. This is certainly not the case, although it can feel as if it is, due to the severity of the physical symptoms. Health is incredibly buoyant, it is just a case of discovering what is in the way. Once we can bring balance to the system, we can create the opportunity for the symptoms to naturally resolve and energy to return.
About the Author:
About The Author: Russell Stubbs is a Therapist, Coach and Trainer from the U.K. He runs recovery courses for sufferers of ME, CFS, PVFS and Fibromyalgia (FM). In the courses he teaches the Lightning Process - the most effective strategy for halting the cycle of ME/CFS. 1000's have already used the process to recover. At his website - www.fatigueguide.com he also offers simple and effective self-help practices.
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