Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)  Myalgic Encephomyelitis (ME)  & Fibromyalgia (FM) affects an estimated 250,00 people in the United Kingdom and over 17 million people worldwide. I firmly believe that these conditions are only chronic if untreated.

Often the onset of symptoms are  insidious and are present for many years before a definitive diagnosis is made. The diagnosis is reached by conducting various tests to eliminate other potential explanations for the symptoms that the individual presents with.

Historically, the diagnosis for either ME, Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia is eventually arrived at by determining which is the most dominant symptom, pain or fatigue, either way the bottom line is the same, you will have to learn to manage the symptoms. The current NHS treatment plan is limited and the general emphasis is on symptom management rather than recovery . 

The ME association believe that recovery is not possible and continue to put their faith in research and the traditional medical model in order to explain symptoms. It was the same story back in 1998 when I became severley affected by Chronic Fatigue/ME. I am so happy that I did not accept that limited view as I would still be bedbound  to this waiting for a magic cure!

The debate about what to call these conditions rages on, whichever label you are allocated is largely irrelevant but often necessary, if you are unable to work and need to claim benefits. However, people who get their  label often report a sense of feeling dismissed, disbelieved, and often stigmatised. In any case what to call it  it detracts from the main issue, which is; 

What do we do about it? 

How do we get well and reclaim our lives?

MINDSET 

The experience of having a condition that is not understood creates a  particular mindset, after all, we are conditioned to believe that if we are ill, the expectation is, that we see a doctor who gives us answers and prescribes treatment. But that only happens if your particular illness falls within medical models  understanding of illness. 

Typically, without any definitive medical test  the experience  of getting a diagnosis is a difficult and stressful process which in itself compounds any exisiting anxiety, creating additional symptoms!  

At this point people will start an external search they will visit alternative practitioners and may become fixated with researching their symptoms. 

The topic of ME, Chronic Fatigue,  Fibromyalgia is still very controversial and creates  much heated debate. On one hand, there are groups who believe it is a purely physical illness and others who argue that it is a psychological illness the only thing they agree on (with a few exceptions) is that recovery is not a realistic option.

The first step towards understanding the nature of Exhaustive Conditions is that we have to acknowledge and accept that body and mind are linked in a complex feedback system, this is not to say that the symptoms are not real or are all in the mind, there are valid reasons why the physical symptoms occur. 

In my personal/professional experience and that of my fellow recoverers and colleagues is that the development of symptoms is often (but not always)  linked to unconscious, unprocessed emotions following Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and /or traumatic life events, which has profoudly affected the way in which stress and anxiety are processed and managed by the individual, this is known as a maladaptive stress response

Our brain has evolved over time. It has three parts, the oldest is known as the reptilian brain, next the mamalian brain and latterly the  cerebral cortex, collectively known as the triune brain

Our brain might have evolved over time but our stress response (the reptilian part) remains the same. it  is an ancient survival mechanism that has allowed the human race to survive.

The amygdala, situated in the oldest (reptilian) part of the brain detects danger and can be activated by internal/external events that are real, remembered or imagined, it does not  discriminate - if it senses danger it will launch a respond. 

Although we are no longer prey  to sabre toothed tigers and woolley mammoths our modern lives are fraught with different types of stressors. 

The media are very selective in what they report. Our lives are fast paced and filled with 24-hour rolling news, bringing catastrophe and threat in the form of famine, natural disasters, terrorism, you name it, all are delivered to us live!  

To  some people, who  did not feel safe or secure whilst growing up or have suffered some kind of trauma the world can feel very threatening this will impact how your nervous system devlops and how you process stress and anxiety in adulthood. 

Dr Nadine Burke expresses this beautifully in the youtube video below, she discusses the long term effects on health of childhood trauma

The unrelenting pressure of modern living means that our nervous system's  become almost permanently switched on to high alert. This results in the mind alerting the body that it is in danger.  Over time this can become chronic, a state of being that creates a psychological and physical  imbalance. 

This stressed state develops over a period of time and often people develop any number of strategies in order to cope or adapt. 

They might, for instance, start to 'save energy' for work by cutting back other activities or self-medicate with caffeinated drinks in order to get an energy boost and subsequently use alcohol or drugs  to switch off. Truly, a vicious cycle! 

Our autonomic nervous sytem (ANS) is designed with two main branches the sympathetic nervous system and its opposite number, the parasympathetic nervous system they work collaboratively so we can balance activity with calm, a state called homeostasis. 

The human body was designed to be in homeostasis (balance) a state in which our bodies function optimally, it is often referred to as the rest and digest state. In this state the body is healing and replenishing. 

We learn in infancy from our primary caregivers how to regulate stress and manage our emotions. If our primary caregiver was unable to provide emotional regulation for themselves  e.g. through addiction, mental health issues, then their ability to regulate an infants emotional state  would be considerably diminished  

Our nervous system is part of a finely tuned and complex feedback system. It develops in response in our earlist relational experiences.

 Unregulated stress/anxiety in infancy can structure a nervous system that is pre-disposed towards dysregulation The net result is that throughout life the body becomes repeatly flooded with stress hormones which (long term) are toxic to the system. 

The road to wellness is found in  

How you became ill

Learning how to calm down the nervous system

Nurturing  the  body into rest (healing state).

Supplementing the body, to support healing 

It sounds simple but is a process that evolves over time. I combine coaching/counselling techniques, ,along with, my personal experience of managing my own return to wellness, additionl referral support from the wider Chrysalis Effect comunity e.g. nutrional support and testing for adrenal or thyroid issues. and other alternative interventions, upon request.

This is a list of common symptoms but it  is by no means exhaustive; 

Brain 

Reduced concentration, brain fog 

New or different headaches 

Ruminating/preoccupation  on symptoms 

Catastrophising 

Fatigue unrelieved by rest, even after minimal exertion. 

Fluctuation energy levels 

Dizzyness 

Sometimes you feel that you might be about to faint (especially when standing up)

Anxiety

Overactive mind, thoughts on a loop, with no resolution, worrying, often catastrophising.  

Sleep Disturbances 

Insomnia 

Unrefreshing sleep 

Night /Day reversal 

Body Generally 

Aches in joints/muscles with no swelling or underlying diagnosis 

Post exertion fatigue 

Tender lymph nodes, neck, groin, 

An internal jittery/shivery feeling 

Tender spots on body 

Cold hand/feet, without an underlying issue i.e. beta blockers 

Unexplained joint pain without swelling or inflammation.

Digestion 

Bloating, Irritable bowel symptoms (IBS) Constipation/diarhorrea abdominal pain, acid reflux 

Intolerances to certain foods, alcohol or caffeine 

Candida overgrowth. 

Emotional 

Frightened/Anxious 

Depressed 

Feeling grief 

Feeling shame and guilt about work, family, friends.  

Worried about being thought of as a malingerer or fantasist 

Behaviours 

Visiting doctors, alternative therapists, 

You feel you are unfit or getting old, so you take up exercise, running, join a gym  

Constantly researching symptoms, looking for answers, cures 

Self-medicating with, substances, alcohol, caffeine, recreational drugs, hard drugs. 

Manufacturing anger to generate energy 

Sleeping in the day, awake at night 

Avoidant behaviours, cancelling appointments 

Becoming very anxious about keeping appointments/deadline 

Endocrine System

Loss of libido 

Thyroid Issues 

Menstrual difficulties, pain, irregularity

I work on the assumption that people who develop these condiditons are essentially suffering from chronic nervous system dysregulation, this basic premise informs how I work.

I use a coaching format initially. This is so we can identify contributing factors and find creative solutions to work with them. Coaching  differs from Counselling in that it is much more goal oriented and future focussed. It involves setting long, medium and short term goals.

I use psychotherapy to examine the deeper issues of how you may have become ill and what might be sustaining and compounding the illness

I also teach tools that are designed to calm down the nervous system. The reason for this is that mind cannot think efficiently and the body cannot restore and repair on a cellular level, while it is in fight/flight/freeze (sympathetic dominance).

Psychoeducation

Some of the things you will learn are;

What stage of the illness are you in?

The pre dispositions for developing exhaustive conditions.

What could have contributed to your illness?

How stress affects the body's systems

What is creating the physical symptoms?

The role of the unconscious mind. What is keeping you stuck?

The Healing State 

Plus a  combination of other modalities to guide you through to recovery.

Coaching sessions are conducted fornightly online or face to face and are held in conjunction with the Chrysalis Effect Online Recovery Programme who also have a large practitioner referral community. 

Each practitioner has their own speciality plus they have all recieved Chrysalis Effect training so will be 'on the same page' and able to provide seamless care 

Psychotherapy is conducted weekly, preferably face to face but online if  there is no other option.

What next, please go to the contacts page to arrange a free informal chat either by email or phone 

To go straight to The Chrysalis Effect website please click on the blue butterfly