What Risk Factor Does Childhood Abuse Play in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

A study done  January 5, 2009, at Atlanta Emory University, showed that severe childhood trauma-including sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect was associated with a sixfold increase in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Harvard Medical School professor Anthony L. Komaroff, an expert on CFS, says that childhood trauma alters brain chemistry in a way that makes some people more vulnerable to this syndrome. * 

 The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are:

·         Fatigue lasting for a minimum of 6 months

·         Loss of memory or concentration

·         Sore throat

·         Enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the neck or armpits

·         Unexplained muscle and joint pain

·         New types of headaches

·         Unrefreshed sleep

·         Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise **

There is not a specific treatment for CFS.  Treatment is based on managing the individual symptoms that are presented.

Common treatments may include:

·         A combination of medications for muscle and joint pain.

·         Behavior changes, such as light exercise, balanced diet and a consistent sleep schedule to decrease fatigue.

·         Cognitive behavioral therapy, specefically if there is a history of childhood abuse.

Doctors have not discovered one specific cause of CFS, but some speculate that it is the body’s reaction to a combination of emotional and physical factors. Overworking on a consistent basis, specifically in a stressful environment can lead to more fatigue which can become chronic, if not managed.

Research shows that survivors of childhood trauma specifically sexual and physical abuse are more likely to have affective responses to stress, such as worrying, getting angry and taking tension out on others. Blaming themselves, withdrawing , not disclosing, and letting someone else solve the problem were also common maladaptive responses they used to cope with stress.  ***

If we are unable to cope with stress in an effective way, the body’s stress response is activated so often that the body doesn’t always have a chance to return to normal, resulting in a state of chronic stress. ****

 Some effective ways to manage stress each day, so it does not become chronic are:

·         Take short rest periods when you feel exhausted.

·          Do light exercise, like stretching, walking, swimming etc on a daily basis.

·         Play games or do fun activities on a weekly basis, to give yourself something to look forward to.

·         Breathe out all built up stress energy from the day, each night before you go to sleep.

·         Do one thing at a time and stay present in the moment.

·         Listen to calming music

·         Get outside in nature frequently, to re-balance your energy.

·         Slow your breathing throughout the day, to calm your nervous system.

·         Eat fresh fruits and vegetables each day to supply nutrients that help the body recover from stress. 

Taking good care of your body and emotions may help you to avoid being one of the million people in America who suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome (=

To help reinforce emotionally healthy thoughts and beliefs, read my Good Things Emotional Healing Cards atwww.goodthingsemotionalhealing.com

RESOURCES:

* http://www.webmd.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/news/20090105/cfs-linked-to-childhood-traumahttp://

** http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395/DSECTION=symptoms

*** http://www.unl.edu/psypage/maltreatment/documents/AdultSurvivorsofChildhoodAbuse_Futaetal_JOFV.pdf

**** http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm

Written without stress by Elisabeth Davies, MC