How does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 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 is happening when we are under stress?
We produce a powerful cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin as a result of entering this state. This is the same chemistry produced during the fight or flight response - a natural process that is triggered in reaction to a perceived or real threat.
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.
What's the connection between the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The system is under stress due to the initial bug, virus, vaccination, trauma etc. There may have been additional stressors present or the sufferer could have been run-down already. This would prolong the recovery period. The sufferer may then become concerned at their slow recovery, which results in more stress. This depletes the already challenged immune system, further slowing the recovery process.
Sufferers Search 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.
Is it 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?
Given the right tools it is possible to break free of these cycles relatively quickly. Recovery time, fortunately, is not relative to the duration of the illness. What's needed is an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles, along with an understanding of the mind - body connection. New physical and cognitive strategies can then be introduced in order to influence the 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.
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 is happening when we are under stress?
We produce a powerful cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin as a result of entering this state. This is the same chemistry produced during the fight or flight response - a natural process that is triggered in reaction to a perceived or real threat.
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.
What's the connection between the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The system is under stress due to the initial bug, virus, vaccination, trauma etc. There may have been additional stressors present or the sufferer could have been run-down already. This would prolong the recovery period. The sufferer may then become concerned at their slow recovery, which results in more stress. This depletes the already challenged immune system, further slowing the recovery process.
Sufferers Search 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.
Is it 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?
Given the right tools it is possible to break free of these cycles relatively quickly. Recovery time, fortunately, is not relative to the duration of the illness. What's needed is an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles, along with an understanding of the mind - body connection. New physical and cognitive strategies can then be introduced in order to influence the 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.
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 recovered using the process. At his website - www.fatigueguide.com he also offers simple yet effective self-help techniques.
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