Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & the stress response
How do Fatigue Conditions start?
There are numerous ways of developing Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) along with Fibromyalgia (FM). Some common causes include - viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The cause can also be connected to a stressful incident or period in a persons life. The common factor is that the person’s system is under stress.
What is happening when we are under stress?
As a result of entering this state we produce a cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. This powerful group of chemicals is also produced during the fight or flight response - this is the natural process that is triggered in reaction to a threat - either real or perceived.
What physiological changes take place during fight or flight?
A number of changes take place, due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Additional fuel is directed to the major muscles groups by increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Thyroid and blood sugar levels are affected. Increased energy is needed for emergency systems which causes nonessential functions including digestion and immune system to shut down.
What’s the connection between the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The system is already under stress from the initial virus, bug, trauma, vaccination etc. If the person was run down at the time or there were other stressors present, this could prolong the recovery period. A slow recovery is then a cause for concern, which results in more stress. This depletes an already challenged immune system, slowing the process of recovery further.
Seeking 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.
Stress response over the long-term
The system becomes depleted when subjected to the stress response over the long-term. The chemistry designed to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system becomes depleted and most other bodily systems are disrupted. Adrenalin levels can become depleted after prolonged activation. The dysregulation of stress chemistry is responsible for 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?
It is possible to break free of these cycles and it can be done quickly, given the right tools. Fortunately, the length of time of the illness does not determine the length of the recovery time. What’s needed is an understanding of the mind - body connection and an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles. We can then learn to use new physical and cognitive strategies that influence our health in a positive way.
Health is buoyant!
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.
