All About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & How To Overcome it with CBT, Therapy & Counselling in Wolverhampton & West Midlands

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes persistent fatigue (exhaustion) that affects everyday life and doesn’t seem to go away with adequate sleep or rest.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also known as ME, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis.

It is considered a serious condition that can cause long-term illness and disability, but the majority of people, in particular younger sufferers, will improve over time.

It is estimated that around 250,000 people in the UK may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and anyone can develop the condition, although it is reported to be more common in women than men.

It usually develops in people in the 20 to 40 age range although children can also be affected.

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Although most cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are classified as mild or moderate, one in four people can develop more severe symptoms.

• Mild CFS – you’re generally able to care for yourself, but may need occasional days off work to rest
• Moderate CFS – you may find moving difficult, have disturbed sleep patterns and may need to sleep in the afternoon
• Severe CFS – you may have difficulty concentrating on anything other than very basic tasks and feel like you have a significantly reduced mobility

Symptoms may include:

• Muscular pain, joint pain and severe headaches
• Poor short-term memory and concentration
• Stomach pains and other problems similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• A sore throat
• A sensitivity or intolerance to bright light or loud noises
• Dizziness

What Causes CFS?

Although the actual cause seems to be unknown, there are various theories including:

• Viral or bacterial infection
• Immune system problems
• Hormone Imbalance
• Psychological causes

As with all other conditions, we recommend that you first consult your GP about your CFS before you make an appointment to come into see us.

It is important to rule out any of the biological causes before embarking on a psychological solution.

Therapy & Counselling for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We offer a number of different types of therapy and counselling for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and stress-related problems.

Choosing the most suitable therapy depends on a number of different considerations including factors such as:

• How long you have had the problem.
• Your personal preferences.
• How your problem is affecting you today.

You can read more about the different types of therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on the following links:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Self-help CBT course for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Counselling for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Although all therapies use slightly different approaches, the one thing they all have in common is the relationship that is formed between the client and therapist.

Furthermore, research also suggests that therapy relationship may be the most important factor in achieving a good therapy outcome.

Free Initial Consultations for CFS

We offer all prospective clients a FREE initial consultation to discuss your chronic fatigue prior to commencing any treatment plans.

The consultation is free and lasts around 50 minutes.

During this consultation we will discuss the various therapy options that are available to you and make a considered recommendation based on your individual personal circumstances.

Initial consultations are also available as part of our online therapy service.

At Tranceform Psychology we recognise the importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping people to bring about effective change, so its important to be able to ‘meet’ to discuss any therapy treatments BEFORE proceeding.

Our policy is to help people make a fully balanced & considered decision about undertaking work with us, including both the financial and personal implications.