Seeking Assistance for Chronic Fatigue

The role of assistance or support in dealing with chronic fatigue cannot be over-emphasized. It is therefore advisable that you solicit support as soon as the condition is suspected. In the first place, assistance will be required in establishing a diagnosis, considering the myriad of emotions sufferers go through.

You may feel frustrated, depressed, overwhelmed, anxious or even angry. These emotions are commonplace, even though they may not help you get better. The answer to managing these emotions and dealing with chronic fatigue is to get support.

Support is available at different levels. Support at the emotional level helps you to express how you feel in a productive manner, such that you can use them to get better. Emotional support provides you with a positive outlet.

The most available form of emotional support exists within your immediate family and friends. It is important for your recovery that your friends and family are supportive of what you’re going through. They may not be able to help you manage your chronic fatigue but having their understanding and support is extremely helpful.

Support can also be in the form of education or enlightenment. Physicians, counsellors, therapists and other practitioners are very conversant with chronic fatigue and can help you understand what you’re going through, help you find treatment options and help you learn about resources in your area.

This is an area where you can choose who you surround yourself with. If you are not happy with a doctor or therapist, you can find another one. And this is important, because you need to feel comfortable with your physicians and or therapists. You need to be able to communicate freely, and trust your medical advisors.

Another valuable source of support is the numerous people diagnosed with chronic fatigue. In them alone exists a huge community of support. There are online support groups, community support groups and associations all designed to help you live your best life.

Take advantage of these support groups. They’ll help you manage your symptoms by providing valuable suggestions and honest feedback. They’ll provide resources and education about chronic fatigue and they’ll help you wade through your emotions and physical debilitations.

When you’re suffering from a condition like chronic fatigue, the support you find and surround yourself with can make all the difference.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue is a condition characterised by a persistent feeling of tiredness or weakness. It lasts for more than six months and is not attributed to any specific medical diagnosis. For this reason, it is often misdiagnosed and so it is difficult to determine exactly how many people are afflicted by this condition.

It is often accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: short-term memory loss or reduction, difficulty concentrating , sore throat, general muscle pain, multiple-joint pain , headaches, insomnia or poor sleep and malaise.

Unfortunately not a great deal is known about the causes of chronic fatigue. Some researchers have suggested that it may be due to a virus but presently there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case.

What is known is that women tend to get chronic fatigue more than men, although this may simply be because they go to see a doctor for it than the men do. In reality, chronic fatigue can occur in men, women, adults, children and any race, income level or geographic area. Hereditary and genetic factors have so far not been found to be associated but in most cases it occurs when people are in their 40s and 50s.

There is no ‘one cap fits all’ treatment for chronic fatigue as doctors tend to employ a combined approach and treat the symptoms as well as help sufferers with a lifestyle change.

Treatment modalities often employed include counselling to develop coping skills, alleviating symptoms like headache, sore throat and muscle pains, cognitive behaviour therapy to help develop habits to manage symptoms, exercise and diet. Some patients have found relief with alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and yoga.

Chronic fatigue can certainly be alleviated if you employ strategies that will improve your life and enable you to function at a higher level.