How does ME/CFS start?
There are a number of different factors in the development of Fatigue related conditions. Viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. can all be triggers. This can lead to the development of Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM). The cause can also be attributed to a stressful incident or time in a persons life. The common factor in all of theses cases is that the sufferer's system is under stress.
What happens when our system is under stress?
When we are in this state we produce a powerful group of chemicals - including adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol. This is the same group of chemicals that we produce during the fight or flight response - the process that is triggered as a reaction to a real or perceived threat.
What physiological changes take place during fight or flight?
A number of changes take place, due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Additional fuel is directed to the major muscles groups by increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Thyroid and blood sugar levels are affected. Increased energy is needed for emergency systems which causes nonessential functions including digestion and immune system to shut down.
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.
Searching for help
Sufferers typically seek help from their doctors who run tests for other ailments. The test results are negative but the symptoms persist. Sufferers often try alternative approaches. Sometimes these give temporary relief, but once again the symptoms return. People can easily lose trust in their body and energy levels. This further entrenches the stress - symptom - stress pattern.
The stress response over the long-term
When subjected to the stress response over the long-term the system becomes depleted. The chemistry that we produce in order to help us out of danger becomes toxic, depleting the immune system and disrupting most other bodily systems. Prolonged activation can cause adrenalin levels to become depleted. This dysregulation of stress chemistry causes more fatigue and physical symptoms.
Can it be all in the mind?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is clearly not all in the mind. It's an illness that is very physical in nature. It is known to affect most bodily systems. Approaches to recovery that are purely physical or that focus only on specific symptoms rarely work well. What's needed is an understanding of the mechanisms that trigger these physiological responses. We need to recognize that these mechanisms are very much a part of the mind. Until these patterns are addressed, full recovery over the long term is unlikely.
How can these cycles be broken?
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.
You are not broken!
Sufferers of fatigue related conditions can typically feel broken or flawed in some way. Although the physical symptoms can be so severe that it feels as if this is so, this is not the case. Human health is incredibly buoyant, it is just necessary to discover what is in the way. Once we can bring balance to the system, we can create the opportunity for energy to return and physical symptoms to naturally resolve.