| You may have noticed that Chronic Fatigue | | | | 'Instant Messaging' (real-time chat sessions on |
| Syndrome /M.E. /Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome is a | | | | your computer, where you type instead of talk). |
| very misunderstood illness... | | | | --------SIDE NOTE-------- |
| ...and this is perhaps why there are so many | | | | There are other differences between Chronic |
| myths about it. | | | | Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia and depression... |
| Perhaps the most common myth about Chronic | | | | Research has shown that Chronic Fatigue |
| Fatigue Syndrome is that it is effectively a mental | | | | Syndrome sufferers have an abnormality in their |
| condition, and another name for depression. | | | | 'deep sleep' brainwave patterns. But, depression |
| But these two conditions are very different! | | | | sufferers do not have this abnormality! |
| And when you label a condition incorrectly it can | | | | And in a recent study by scientists at the |
| cause no end of problems when trying to | | | | University of Alberta, it was found that there |
| diagnose and treat it. So it's extremely important | | | | were significant differences in skin temperature |
| to make the distinction between Chronic Fatigue | | | | and electrical activity in the skin, which sets |
| Syndrome /M.E. /Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome and | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers apart from |
| depression - because they are completely | | | | depression sufferers (Pazderka-Robinson, H. Int. |
| different illnesses. | | | | Jrnl. Of Psychophysiology Aug 2004). |
| Depression can be a **symptom** of Chronic | | | | What's more, depression sufferers tend to feel |
| Fatigue Syndrome, but there are many Chronic | | | | tired **all** the time, whereas Chronic Fatigue |
| Fatigue Syndrome sufferers out there who do | | | | Syndrome sufferers' exhaustion **increases** |
| **not** suffer from depression at all. | | | | notably after mental or physical exertion. |
| I, for example, used to suffer from depression | | | | There are also symptoms of Chronic Fatigue |
| when I was first diagnosed with Post Viral Fatigue | | | | Syndrome that are not shared by depression |
| Syndrome (CFS/M.E.), but now I (thankfully) don't | | | | sufferers. Nasty flu-like symptoms, headaches, |
| have depression anymore. | | | | painful muscles and joints, Restless Legs |
| --------SIDE NOTE-------- | | | | Syndrome, and an increase in colds and viruses, |
| My recovery from depression (whilst I had PVFS) | | | | are all just a few symptoms that can play a part |
| was down to having psychotherapy. And I can | | | | in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. |
| safely say that it's THE BEST thing I've ever | | | | There you go - just a few of the differences |
| done. | | | | between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and |
| If you're depressed, then I urgently recommend | | | | depression! So the next time someone mistakes |
| that you try a talking therapy of some sort. | | | | your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ M.E. /Post Viral |
| I'd personally describe the whole process of going | | | | Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia for depression - |
| through psychotherapy as "reading a fascinating | | | | you can set them right! |
| book" - where the topic is on 'yourself'. | | | | Copyright, Claire Williams, 2004. All Rights |
| To find out what it's like to go through | | | | Reserved. |
| psychotherapy /counselling, visit: | | | | ** Reprinting of the article above is welcome! ** |
| If you're housebound, or just want to conserve | | | | The article above may be freely reproduced |
| your energy and don't want to travel to see a | | | | provided that: |
| therapist, then why not try online counselling? | | | | (1) you include the following resource box; and (2) |
| There are services out there that can give you | | | | you only mail to a 100% opt-in list. |
| counselling sessions via telephone, via email, or via | | | | |