Chronic Fatigue
(CFS/ME/FM)
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Chronic fatigue, which can also be diagnosed as adrenal fatigue, burn out, or in more severe cases, a break-down, is experienced when the body has become physically, mentally and emotionally overloaded for too longer period of time.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue vary, but simply put, you feel much more tired than normal and unable to recover as you normally would, given the activities or tasks you have accomplished during the day. At worst, fatigue, exhaustion, and even a sense of 'lifelessness', can lead people to become bedridden in this state. Abnormal Fatigue is a really important symptom to take notice of, as it alerts us to stop and reassess how we are living our lives. Without doing so, fatigue can continue, making everyday life incredibly difficult, perhaps even leading to more other health problems such as mental illness and/or addiction. |
After recovering from 9 years of dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as M.E., and Fibromyalgia (a debilitating muscular condition) I am passionate to assist people to not fall down the same hole as I did.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often goes well beyond fatigue, including flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, brain-fog, light and noise sensitivity, and can affect the digestive, nervous and endocrine, immune and neurological systems. With little information or direction medically to assist recovery, I was forced to find my own path through and out the other side of this crippling condition. The hardest thing to deal with during this time was not having the understanding or cognitive function to explain my condition, and feeling largely misunderstood by family, friends and society. This places an extra burden and stress on an already suboptimally functioning physical body that ultimately needs our own and others' compassion and acceptance to heal. |
It is hard to believe when you are in such a chronically fatigued state, with very little information to assist your recovery, and often a culture that doesn't understand, that there actually is a way through and out into recovery. But have hope: there are things you can do now to improve your situation.
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Kira Follas - Counsellor (P.G.Dip.Couns, MNZAC)
Full Member of NZAC,- Professional Association for Counsellors in New Zealand |