Psychological Effects Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The symptoms of CFS overlap with those of severe psychiatric disorders. Most of the depressed patients have substantial fatigue and for some others it is the most distressing part of the illness.

But it is not clear about the role of psychiatric disorder in CFS. Patients who are affected psychologically is due to the physical illness but it does not shows the higher rates of psychiatric disorder found in CFS compare to that of other chronic illness.

The role of psychological problems in CFS is controversial as most of the people with CFS are diagnosed with depression and other psychological disorders. But majority of people with CFS did not experience any psychological disorders before getting CFS.

According to doctors, patients are becoming depressed or anxious because of the effect of the symptoms of their CFS and one of the recent study shows that depression was the result of the illness not the cause of the illness.

The psychological symptoms which can be found in child or young people are getting depressed, irritable, anxious, difficulty to sleep, lose interest in food, difficulty in concentrating or remembering things, extremely tired and getting headaches.

These symptoms make the life of a child unbearable to carry out their usual activities, go and see their friends and to carry out their hobbies. Young people also will become mentally upset due to prolonged bed rest or by not working for a long time.

This idle life causes rapid muscle loss even in healthy people and these complications make the recovery more difficult. Adverse events in life also will develop acute fatigue and subsequently become chronic.

Most patients are experiencing difficulties with various neuropsychological functions like memory, attention and concentration.

The mental strain can be felt by every member of the family. You have to provide time to nurse the sick child and the siblings may feel that they are neglected.

Sometimes even parents cannot understand that the child is ill or just seeking attention.

Diagnosis of CFS is difficult because the in early stage the illness cannot be identified and this may upset the child as no one believes that they are ill. To continue the relationships will become difficult both at home and school.

Doctor can recommend the child to a pediatrician or a child psychiatrist for treatment. The problems at school can be solved by the school nurse and the psychologist. For a good recovery complete support and encouragement of the family and friends are necessary to cope with this illness.

Counseling of family or the individual can help to overcome depression, anxiety, lack of confidence, poor motivation or family and relationship problems. Careers can be stressful but you have to be patient, determined and optimistic.

CFS Facts: If you are tired all the time you may have Chronic Fatigue.

Over one million Americans have CFS that is over 4 in 1000 Americans and is considered as a serious health problem. CFS is affected to the people of America than multiple sclerosis, lupus, lung cancer or ovarian cancer.

Researchers are exploring the causes and risk factors for CFS but there are some characteristics that help to indicate who is at risk for developing CFS.

CFS is found in both sexes and all ages and in all racial and ethnic groups. The occurrence of CFS is unpredictable as it is difficult to diagnose.

Age is an important factor for CFS as it is most affected to people of 40 to 50 years old and it is least occurred in people below 29 or above 60. According to studies occurrence of CFS is highest among women.

Children and adolescents are not immune to the effects of CFS. Most studies show that girls are prone to develop CFS than boys but one study found that the appearance of the syndrome is equal in both sexes.

Some studies show that the occurrence of CFS is highest in the case of minority groups (African and Hispanic-Americans) and also to people with lower levels of education and occupational status.

The problem is the link between the psychological disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome as many of the symptoms overlap. The rates of depression are very high in patients and according to a study 27.4% of patients are diagnosed with CFS alone had a history of depression.

Most children and adolescents with CFS are suffering from psychiatric disorders. But studies have not found any continuous association between emotional or personality disorder with CFS to explain the causal role.

Most of the depressed people feel fatigued and depression is very common affecting up to one-fifth of all Americans at some point in their lives.

Symptoms of a number of conditions overlap or often co-exist with CFS. According to a study only 38% of patients had a sole diagnosis of CFS and others are affected with fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity or both.

But it is not clear that these conditions or others are the risk factors for CFS are direct causes or have no relationship at all with CFS.

Fibromyalgia causes prolonged fatigue and muscle aches and is often confused with CFS. Fibromyalgia and CFS also commonly appear together and about 37% of patients who met the criteria of CFS also had diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is a condition in which certain chemicals can cause symptoms similar to CFS. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia also can be seen in patients with CFS.

People suffer from work related fatigue and burn out also have symptoms similar to that of CFS.

Other conditions which commonly exist with CFS are temporomandibular disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, interstitial cystitis, hypothyroidism, Sjogrens syndrome, sleep problems and cognitive problems.


Learn more about your health online when you read the rest of our information here about: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome guide and also download the free health report available there!

Warren Tattersall has been a full time nutritional consultant for over 35 years and works with people all over the world to help them improve their health, increase their personal energy levels and to use supplements to assist with diet related health issues.

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