| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very | | | | be cured... |
| misunderstood illness and this is perhaps why | | | | ... if only it were that simple! |
| there are so many myths about it. Perhaps the | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is actually a bio-physical |
| most common myth about Chronic Fatigue | | | | condition and was (finally) accepted as such by |
| Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental | | | | the UK government in 2001. But no cure has yet |
| condition, and another name for depression. | | | | been found. |
| But these two conditions are very different! | | | | Unfortunately there are still many people out |
| And when you label a condition incorrectly it can | | | | there (including some medical professionals) who |
| cause no end of problems when trying to | | | | still think that the condition is 'all in the sufferer's |
| diagnose and treat it. So it's extremely important | | | | head'. |
| to make the distinction between Chronic Fatigue | | | | It is because of this misunderstanding that the |
| Syndrome and depression - because they are | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community has fought |
| completely different illnesses. | | | | so hard against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome being |
| For one, depression can be a symptom of | | | | wrongly labelled as a mental illness. And it is |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are many | | | | perhaps because of this battle that depression |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers out there | | | | amongst Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers has |
| who do not suffer from depression at all. | | | | often sadly been overlooked... |
| Second, research has shown that Chronic Fatigue | | | | Yet for many, depression can be a very real |
| Syndrome sufferers have an abnormality in their | | | | symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If you |
| 'deep sleep' brainwave patterns. In contrast, | | | | suffer from depression as a Chronic Fatigue |
| depression sufferers do not have this abnormality. | | | | Syndrome sufferer, then it's vital that you take it |
| In addition, depression sufferers tend to feel tired | | | | very seriously and that you try to address it as |
| all the time, whereas Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | soon as possible. |
| sufferers' exhaustion increases notably after | | | | If you don't deal with your depression, you are |
| mental or physical exertion. | | | | unlikely to be able to recover from any chronic |
| There are also symptoms of Chronic Fatigue | | | | illness... |
| Syndrome that are not shared by depression | | | | ...and recovering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| sufferers. Nasty flu-like symptoms, headaches, | | | | is no exception. |
| reversal of sleeping patterns, painful muscles and | | | | For more about the difference between Chronic |
| joints, Restless Legs Syndrome, and an increase | | | | Fatigue Syndrome and depression visit: |
| in colds and viruses all are just a few symptoms | | | | It is possible to recover from Chronic Fatigue |
| that can play a part in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. | | | | Syndrome. So if you do experience depression as |
| These are just a few of the differences between | | | | a symptom of your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression! | | | | make it a priority to deal with it. Only that way |
| Another myth about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is | | | | can you get yourself on the road to recovery. |
| that all Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers need | | | | Copyright, Claire Williams, 2004-2005. All Rights |
| to do is to 'pull themselves together' - and they'd | | | | Reserved. |