| It is a striking characteristic of Chronic Fatigue | | | | Because sufferers often "look well" or are able to |
| Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FM) that people | | | | participate in some activity, it is common for |
| have such incredible difficultly in accepting that | | | | assumptions to be made that 'they must be well'. As |
| someone with CFS/FM is really ill. While being assailed | | | | symptoms fluctuate and energy levels vary, each |
| by hideous assaults on body, mind and an individual's | | | | and every day is a separate challenge. People |
| very being, sufferers face yet more staggering | | | | generally do not see the days spent carefully |
| obstacles created by the lack of true understanding | | | | conserving energy so a day out may be possible - |
| from other people. This is a very real situation that | | | | they are unlikely to witness the depressing |
| has to be faced by many sufferers, and can be a | | | | disappointment when a special day arrives and either |
| crushing impediment to improvement. | | | | symptoms flare or energy is simply insufficient. |
| Sufferers face a huge struggle in trying to convey | | | | Most people that make hurtful comments or pass |
| the despair and helplessness felt when in the grip of | | | | unfair judgement mean no calculated harm, however |
| CFS/FM, while being confronted with disbelief, | | | | even simple thoughtlessness can have quite massive |
| allegations of malingering or pathetic weakness, blame | | | | ramifications on someone that is actually ill. Then |
| for bringing illness on themselves, insinuations that the | | | | again, it can be astounding the number of people that |
| illness is purely psychological or just imagined, claims | | | | question professional opinion or insist that they know |
| of attention-seeking, or any number of harsh | | | | the reason a sufferer has CFS/FM. |
| judgments rising from ignorance or lack of | | | | Poor understanding and lack of sensitivity is not |
| compassion. | | | | confined to uninformed or unqualified people. Many |
| Many people can only relate to their own | | | | sufferers cite cases of extreme coldness, rude |
| experiences, so are incapable of understanding. | | | | disrespect or offensive dismissal from medical |
| Others are unable to see beyond the superficial | | | | practitioners, medical personnel, therapists or other |
| veneer of "you look well". Some insensitive, some | | | | 'professionals'. "It's all in your mind" or "just get over |
| only self-interested, some just bored or impatient | | | | it", accusations of hypochondria, delusion, laziness and |
| when you are not 'over it' quickly, some just | | | | self-absorption have been thrown at sufferers of |
| incredibly thoughtless, cruel... | | | | CFS/FM. |
| "Are you better, yet?" is a question that is often | | | | As a syndrome with mystifying causes, bewildering |
| asked of a CFS/FM sufferer and, despite its | | | | symptoms and no proven cure it seems easy to |
| frequency, can be a very difficult question to handle. | | | | dismiss CFS/FM as 'not a real illness'. The reaction is, |
| It is a hurtful reminder of an incredibly unpleasant, | | | | understandably, for the sufferer to hide away from |
| intrusive illness without an effective end in sight. How | | | | unkindness. While in the worst phases of CFS/FM, |
| does one point out that it is an illness without a cure, | | | | little else possible. Isolation and feelings of helpless |
| politely? How does one explain that they may look | | | | hopelessness can be significantly extended due to |
| fine but feel as if they are crumbling away inside, | | | | the perception that no one other than a fellow |
| without sounding pathetic? And how does a sufferer | | | | sufferer can possibly understand the daunting |
| convey the despair of waking each and every | | | | experience of CFS/FM. |
| morning knowing they are not yet 'better'? | | | | CFS/FM is not a fatal illness. Sufferers' are generally |
| More often sufferers cannot articulate any | | | | thankful that this illness is not as threatening or |
| explanation at the time, and sometimes not even | | | | possibly as painful as progressive or terminal |
| some time afterwards! Sensitivities may be especially | | | | conditions. With no intention of taking anything away |
| tender or general outlook significantly depressed; | | | | from others' suffering, whatever that may entail, CFS |
| there may be some guilt about imposition on others | | | | FM sufferers simply seek acceptance and some |
| despite it being beyond the sufferer's control. The | | | | understanding. |
| affects of this illness can cause abnormal reactions. | | | | For people to do some simple, easy research about |
| However, would the same people ask this question | | | | CFS/FM before offering opinions would go a long |
| of someone they knew had an incurable disease, or | | | | way to providing a little positive support to sufferers |
| of someone who could no longer walk? | | | | and their carers who already have sufficient burdens. |