What Is and Is Not Chronic Fatigue?

Fatigue, especially chronic fatigue, is the body's response to physical and mental overload, being perceived as a general state of weakness and exhaustion. Fatigue is usually a punctual response, determined by events or situations in which the body is overworked, physically or intellectually.

Most of the time, rest and physical and mental relaxation help us to get over these moments. That is why we can talk about normal fatigue, which is a transient state, explainable in a certain context in which we are overworked.

But when the body does not recover from proper rest and fatigue persists, then we can think of chronic fatigue, burnout, or even chronic fatigue syndrome (SOC). In the following lines, we will find out how to distinguish them.

Why does chronic fatigue occur?

"It is important to engage our mind and body in positive emotions, to focus on what we can control, to do things that help us feel good, and to pay attention to negative inner dialogue, which always promises to help us solve our problems, but it never does. "

Fatigue can have several causes, including:

• intense physical and mental exertion;

• sleep deprivation but also excessive sleep;

• mineral deficiency - especially iron deficiency;

• vitamin deficiency;

• an unbalanced diet with a high caloric intake;

• drugs that can cause drowsiness and fatigue.

However, fatigue is also a common symptom in many conditions, including:

• chronic pain;

• chronic fatigue syndrome;

• depressive and anxiety disorders;

• oncological diseases;

• autoimmune diseases;

• rheumatic diseases;

• heart disease;

• hypo- and hyperthyroidism;

• degenerative neurological diseases;

• anemia;

• sleep apnea;

• kidney disease;

• chronic lung disease.

When do we talk about chronic fatigue?

The difference between normal fatigue and chronic fatigue is that in the case of chronic fatigue, no matter how hard we try to rest, the body's reserves do not recover, optimal functioning is not resumed and the state of weakness persists.

Chronic fatigue affects the ability to concentrate, attention, or ability to solve problems, thus decreasing the level of involvement and daily efficiency. Current activities, such as personal hygiene or cooking, are avoided or postponed because they are considered tiring.

Thus, people who were once active and productive find themselves in a state of helplessness and frustration that is hard to accept and tolerate.

When do we talk about burnout?

Also called "complete burnout syndrome", burnout is emotional fatigue, felt mentally, physically, and emotionally, being the result of a long period of stress.

Burnout is the result of chronic stress at work, stress that is not managed properly or realistically. Burnout is burnout, it is the dissatisfaction we feel when we see that our workload exceeds our job description, it is the feeling of helplessness compared to the desire to perform.

Low resistance to stress, the need to always be better, perfectionism, low self-esteem, as well as the constant need for validation is vulnerability factors for the manifestation of burnout syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (SOC)

Some people may be diagnosed with a disease, including fatigue. It is about the syndrome of chronic fatigue - myalgic encephalomyelitis - a chronic immunological and neurological condition, still insufficiently studied and understood. It is believed that the onset of this disease is marked by a viral infection or an event with a strong emotional impact.

Fatigue is just one of the symptoms associated with this disease. SOC is characterized by chronic fatigue that lasts at least 6 months and does not improve through rest, but also by other symptoms that must also persist for at least 6 months, including muscle and joint pain, stomach pain, pain head and neck, feeling tired after physical or mental exertion (even low intensity), cognitive impairment, restless sleep, difficulty standing.

People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome are not only tired - they are incapacitated due to illness and their daily lives are affected. Cognitive disorders are the most debilitating - memory and attention disorders, impaired speed of information processing and finding words, language comprehension problems, impaired concentration, associated with a general feeling of discomfort and lack of well-being.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is, above all, a medical condition.

Psychotherapy as an intervention and part of the treatment for chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue, burnout, and chronic fatigue syndrome can be confused with certain mental disorders, including depression. They are in a relationship of comorbidity, as is the case with depression and chronic fatigue, forming together a vicious circle that is difficult to break.

Because fatigue, in its chronic form, is both a symptom and a contributing factor in maintaining and increasing the intensity of various mental illnesses, it is important to be able to make a differentiated diagnosis.

To make sure that we have the correct diagnosis and receive the necessary help as soon as possible, it is important to turn to specialists. Any medical problem must be identified and clarified as soon as possible so that the patient can benefit from the best approach, which is often multidisciplinary.

Whether we are talking about chronic fatigue, burnout, or chronic fatigue syndrome (diagnosed by a specialist), psychotherapy should be part of the intervention and treatment plan.

At present, there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, with psychotherapy having the role of managing symptoms, providing guidance and support for the person concerned to adapt to daily life. Emotional support can become all the more important as anger, fear, frustration, and helplessness can intensify the symptoms of the underlying illness.

In the case of chronic fatigue but also burnout, during the psychotherapy sessions, the person's lifestyle is approached and a support system is created. For example, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy provides strategies for dealing with the specific situation that the individual is facing and even the improvement of the symptoms felt. Clients talk a lot about symptoms, about diagnosis, and only about them.

By working with the therapist on the individual's perception, thoughts, and behaviors, he or she can regain control of his or her mood by changing his or her mood, thinking about how to relax, and how to relax "here and now." Individual psychotherapy thus becomes important support for those in their quest to break the vicious circle that accentuates and maintains their symptoms.