Self-care, identity and recovery

Managing ME/CFS varies for each person, but there are several treatment options available. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends personalised treatment plans based on individual symptoms (The NHS website).

Doctors should discuss all options with patients, explaining the benefits and risks, and work together to create a plan that fits the patient’s needs and preferences. This may include lifestyle changes, specialist treatments, or a combination of both. For severe symptoms, specialist advice should be sought. Treatment plans should be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective.

Research led by King’s College London has shown that recovery from CFS is possible for some patients (King's College London website). The PACE trial found that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET), when added to specialist medical care, significantly increase the likelihood of recovery.

Self-care is often hampered by a sense of guilt or low self-worth. It is important to explore the importance of communication in self-care and encouraging without nagging! Every-One have produced a series of podcasts, hosted on Podbean, about this subject. They are all listed below:

• Caring about you!
• Who am I?
• Managing your recovery

More information is available on the following websites:

• Treatment - (NHS)
• Factsheet – Energy-limiting conditions - (Business Disability Forum)
• Post-viral fatigue: a guide to management - (NHS)
• Rehabilitation therapies can lead to recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome - (Kings College London)
• Further help – (Action on Pain)
• Lincolnshire MS Therapy Centre
• Guided Mindfulness Exercises – (Free Mindfulness)
• Self-compassion - (Chronic Fatigue Service)