Unravelling CFS/ME by answering the 2 big questions
When dealing with ongoing illnesses like CFS/ME or Long COVID, people are commonly left asking themselves 1) how did I get here, and 2) why can’t I recover?
To answer this, we need to upgrade outdated dualistic ideas of illness being either physiological or psychological, and look at the bigger picture and the whole human.
From this place we can then take empowered action to influence health and recovery.
Illnesses like CFS/ME, long COVID, chronic pain and anxiety are real and debilitating, and now understood to be the result of the dynamic interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors.
Reflecting on my own experience of full recovery from CFS, it’s much easier to look back and join the dots. For me, what started as a virus developed into ongoing symptoms of brain fog and debilitating fatigue. I remember the frustration not understanding why after many months I was unable to recover. At face value I had been a fit, social 30-year-old. However, back then I wasn’t aware of the role of ‘allostatic load’ and the cumulative effect of chronic stress on mental and physical health.
ME/CFS in the media is catching up
A letter written by Dr Jake Hollis published on Guardian.com last week offers insight into this shared experience among people with ME/CFS who “often experienced periods of chronic and acute stress in the period before they become unwell.”
Hollis adds to this by pointing out the ‘allostatic load’ of adverse childhood experiences and how, as a result one “may have learned to meet the world in adaptive but unsustainable ways – such as being high achievers, perfectionists and self-sacrificers.”
“Eventually, the straw that breaks the camel’s back comes along, typically in the form of a viral infection like Covid or glandular fever. This final stressor shifts the body into a state of dyshomeostasis that appears to become persistent at least partly due to the sensitisation of the central nervous system.”
The role of the nervous system in chronic illness and recovery
I agree the state of nervous system has a big role to play in illness, as it does in recovery. If you want to learn more about the link between the nervous system, Allostatic Load, and chronic illness, you can find more information and links to the research here.
We know the nervous system has a huge role to play in health and healing but operates unconsciously and automatically, traditionally making it hard to influence. However, thanks to modern research we now have a much better understanding of the science behind the mind-body connection and how important this is in chronic illness recovery.
The question becomes, how can we shift back into the state of homeostasis?
What we can do to change things
The good news is you can re-train your brain to influence your nervous system to promote it’s natural healing and immune function. This is what I teach my clients in the Lightning Process®.
Knowledge drives recovery and empowering yourself with an understanding the role of your mind and body is fundamental to support recovery.
TLDR; If you prefer less of the theory, and want actionable steps to influence your health and recovery, you can start your journey towards health today by downloading the audio, Part 1 of the Lightning Process.
Recovery is possible, and it’s possible for you.
Hi I’m Liz.
Health & Mindset Coach and Advanced Lightning Process® Practitioner.
I specialise in empowering people stuck with chronic symptoms with the knowledge, skills and support to reclaim their health and transform their life.
If you are ready to learn how to influence your mind-body connection, join me on my next Lightning Process seminar, either online or in Sydney. Check out the next training dates here.
Want to know more about how we can work together, contact me for a free 20 minute discovery call.
