How do Fatigue Conditions start?
There are many ways that people develop Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as Fibromyalgia (FM). Some of the more common causes are viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The onset can also occur after a stressful incident or a build up of stress. There is one common factor - the system is under stress.
What happens when we are 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.
Physiological changes take place 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 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.
Stress response over the long-term
The stress response is wearing on the system when experienced over the long-term. The chemistry produced to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system is depleted and most other systems in the body are disrupted. Prolonged stimulation causes depletion of adrenalin levels. More fatigue and physical symptoms follow as a result of this dysregulation of stress chemistry.
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 can these cycles be broken?
Breaking free of these cycles is possible and can happen relatively quickly, given the right tools. The length of the recovery time, fortunately, is not relative to the duration of the illness. What's required is an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles that are in place, along with an understanding of the connection between mind and body. New physical and cognitive approaches can then be used in order to positively influence health and bring balance to the system.
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. - 14915
There are many ways that people develop Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as well as Fibromyalgia (FM). Some of the more common causes are viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The onset can also occur after a stressful incident or a build up of stress. There is one common factor - the system is under stress.
What happens when we are 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.
Physiological changes take place 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 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.
Stress response over the long-term
The stress response is wearing on the system when experienced over the long-term. The chemistry produced to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system is depleted and most other systems in the body are disrupted. Prolonged stimulation causes depletion of adrenalin levels. More fatigue and physical symptoms follow as a result of this dysregulation of stress chemistry.
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 can these cycles be broken?
Breaking free of these cycles is possible and can happen relatively quickly, given the right tools. The length of the recovery time, fortunately, is not relative to the duration of the illness. What's required is an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles that are in place, along with an understanding of the connection between mind and body. New physical and cognitive approaches can then be used in order to positively influence health and bring balance to the system.
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. - 14915
About the Author:
About The Author: Russell Stubbs is a Coach, Therapist and Trainer. He runs recovery courses in the UKand across Europe 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. At his website - www.fatigueguide.com he also offers free resources including simple yet effective self-help practices.
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