Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also called ME, has been studied extensively over the years its history. Its history of medical discovery dates back to the 1700s and is often treated skeptically by onlookers; however, it has now been shown that this is a real disease with real symptoms and real chronic debilitating effects. The exact science behind this disease is not fully documented as yet, but major inroads have been made into investigating how it can affect people, and ways to combat the tiredness, and invasive fatigue that CFS brings with it. It is thought to be an immunological disorder that affects the ability of motor nerves somehow in a way that the brain interprets as tiredness and debility. Similar diseases that have been identified properly include multiple sclerosis, whose eventual symptoms can be much more obvious and disabling but may include the same symptoms that sufferers of CFS might experience, especially before a firm diagnosis has been made.
Spirals of anxiety
A link between the trigger point for these types of you immunological/neural disorders has been established by researchers, with CFS and MS sufferers both enduring more severe bouts of symptoms during or following periods in which stress and anxiety have been noticeably increased. A typical example might be where a patient has been working; battling daily growing fatigue from CFS and in a spiral of stress-related anxiety which is increasing the more the patient feels unable to adequately complete their daily work. This can soon become an all-consuming anxiety that can produce severe symptoms of CFS and almost seal the deal for an impending job loss.
It is a very frustrating situation of those on the brink. Trying to balance a chronic illness with a normal life is tiring enough in itself. Balancing a working life with a chronic illness is also a difficult prospect; particularly where the symptoms of illness can easily be confused with laziness, a not especially desirable asset for an employee. Taking time off work with an explanation of tiredness does not go down well with many employers and many medical professionals have not added positively to the situation either. It’s no wonder that CFS sufferers are under stress and anxious under this pressure.
Researchers have discovered direct links between a number of neural diseases and stress. The science is still not understood but it is thought that stress reduces the immune response to such an extent that inflammation of nerve axons produces the symptoms that for CFS sufferers, includes headaches, chronic fatigue, depression, memory dysfunction (“brain fog”) and in some patients, sore throats and lumps in the armpits/tender lymph glands.
Finding Peace
Avoiding stressful situations is all very easy to suggest but going about it is not so easy. Methods of stress reduction for CFS patients are much the same as for any other person seeking to be calmer. For some this may be enjoying company, others in contrast like to meditate – it’s a personal thing but whatever make you feel peaceful, whether its feeding the ducks in the park or getting some Zen, bringing down the stress levels reduces anxiety and definitely reduces CFS symptoms
Some additional methods for dealing with anxiety can be found in these two books. The first suggests a 4 step useful technique for stopping anxiety. Similarly, the second, offers a natural way of overcoming anxiety.
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