Self-help Articles

by Barbara Pino, BA, MA, MFCC

Chronic fatigue support is important for anyone who is faced or affected by the illness. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an illness that is on the rise. It is so prevalent that the Center for Disease Control has a menu of pre-recorded information about CFS and Chronic Fatigue treatment available on its info-line.

Among private insurers, CFS has been the fastest rising cause of disability in both men and women since 1989. A presentation at the last Chronic Fatigue Syndrome conference by the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health reflected the government's increasing attention to CFS as a real public health concern.

Frequently, patients find that a combination of traditional and holistic approaches is most effective in supporting the immune system. Almost all find that a changes in diet and lifestyle are essential elements to feeling better.

Because CFS is a chronic illness, it is important to have coping mechanisms and lifestyle patterns which work for the long haul. The treatment plan can include all of this.

Support is important, but sometimes hard to do when it comes to chronic fatigue syndrome. Here are tips on chronic fatigue support for friends and family.

Friends And Family: How To Offer Chronic Fatigue Support

• Give the patient understanding by validating the patient's perceptions that he or she is sick;
• Allow the patient to take care of herself, however she chooses;
• Give the patient permission to do only what he feels like doing and ease up on obligations and social/time commitments;
• Take care of your needs for time away, alone time, and nurturing.
• Develop friendships that allow you to vent resentment, anger, and frustration so that it isn't directed toward the patient.
• Find a support group for partners of patients, using Internet Newsgroups to ask questions and seek support from other net users. They can give you ideas on what can be included in the patient's treatment plan.

A comprehensive treatment plan should be developed by the patient and their health care providers. Here are some tips to help the patient form a plan that works for them.

The Patient: Broaden Your Chronic Fatigue Treatment Plan

• Focus on what you can do in the present;
• Pay attention to signals from the body;
• Use these signals to find relief in small ways (shifting weight while seated, sleeping different hours, vitamins, massage, 10-minute walks, etc.);
• Work toward wellness by adding whatever modalities seem to help with the assistance of a trained physician and psychotherapist;
• Understand that loved ones may vary in consistency of availability over time (they get stressed with this illness too, and have a right to talk about it with others, or with you);
• Find information and support in as many ways as possible. Utilize Internet news services, information files, and discussion/support groups for CFS patients.
• Using creativity to find what treatment plan works for you can be rewarding, resulting in richer life quality.

Chronic fatigue support is an important part of gaining control of your illness. Including support, as well as a variety of health modalities, will improve your chronic fatigue treatment plan.

For more information, contact

• CFIDS Association of America at (704) 365-2343
• National CFIDS Foundation at (781) 449-3535

About the Author:

Barbara Pino, BA, MA, MFCC is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego, California. Having recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after four years of disability, she specializes in working with immune system issues. Ms. Pino is a CFS resource contact person in San Diego and regularly writes and lectures to promote education in the area of immune system problems. For more information on CFS, contact The CFIDS Association of America, Inc. (704) 365-2343.