Within that tired body, lies a soul so persistent in love, repentant in serving others before yourself. I see the person who can sympathize all layers of the human experience. I see you.

Finally, individuals with severe pathological fatigue might experience states that are very different from what a healthy individual experiences when fatigued.

Many people confuse “chronic fatigue” (which is a symptom of many chronic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or lupus) or “general tiredness” (which is lifestyle-related), with the specific illness “chronic fatigue syndrome” (ME/CFS). To clarify the differences, here are some of the major symptoms of ME/CFS:

- unexplained physical and mental fatigue for an extended period of time
- post-exertional malaise (meaning an inappropriate loss of physical and mental stamina and a worsening of symptoms after any effort)
- sleep dysfunction
- pain
- neurological/cognitive manifestations
- autonomic manifestations, such as orthostatic intolerance
- neuroendocrine symptoms, such as subnormal body temperature
- immune system changes, such as recurrent flu-like symptoms.

Imagine you’re diagnosed with epilepsy: what would you think if you weren’t referred to a specialist but taken to a psychiatrist to treat you for your ‘false illness beliefs’?

This is what happens to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients in the UK. They are told to ignore their symptoms, view themselves as healthy, and increase their exercise. The NHS guidelines amalgamate ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, assuming symptoms are caused by deconditioning and ‘exercise phobia’. Sufferers are offered Graded Exercise to increase fitness, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to rid them of their ‘false illness beliefs’.

individuals with ME/CFS experience different types of fatigue than what are reported in the general populations

the disabling fatigue experienced by individuals with ME/CFS differs from that associated with other illnesses or everyday activity