Her unbearable fatigue looked like a metaphorical onion with multiple layers.
Addressing each layer with the help of medical specialists and a psychotherapist identified underlying causes and solved Lucy’s chronic fatigue syndrome holistically. Then, she re-experienced an abundance of energy.
Why Lucy Felt So Tired All the Time
Lucy always felt tired and sluggish in her mid-twenties. When she was younger, Lucy was a passionate musician and opera singer. She spent hours to learn playing new instruments and improving her unique mezzo-soprano voice.
After completing her post-graduate degree in music, she lost her motivation for performing it even though she still loved playing piano and singing arias. Her body was stopping and forcing her to sit and sleep all day. She lost her mental clarity showing symptoms of brain fog.
Her family doctor couldn’t find any obvious reasons. Her blood tests showed a standard range of the population. She finally convinced her physician to refer her to specialists for further investigation. Each specialist in a different area depicted a new perspective. Lucy’s chronic fatigue was like an onion with multiple layers. Addressing each layer holistically solved the problem.
Her psychotherapist, beloved Janine (RIP), confirmed that chronic fatigue syndrome was common. She helped her solve the problem layer by layer with input from multiple specialists. Janine focused on the underlying causes and created necessary therapies to address them.
According to Mayo Clinic, “chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can’t be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity but doesn’t improve with rest.”
As reported by Statista, “Americans are tired most of the week”, 45% of Americans sleeping seven to eight hours a night said feeling tired or fatigued up to three times a week. Besides, 27% of people woke up exhausted four or more days per week.
As pointed out in this systematic review, “Fatigue, a commonly reported symptom, is defined as an overwhelming, debilitating, and sustained sense of exhaustion that decreases the ability to function and carry out daily activities.” Fatigue might be caused by many health conditions such as anemia, liver disease, kidney problems, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and other complex health issues.
We all get tired naturally. Daily biological, psychological, and environmental factors cause energy blockage. However, chronic fatigue syndrome is beyond tiredness. It is a health condition. Even though we might look healthy from the outset, we might have underlying factors affecting our energy levels. Some people use unnatural ways to boost energy. However, those solutions are not sustainable.
My purpose in this article is to share ten steps that helped Lucy address her chronic fatigue syndrome with the help of several medical specialists, including a psychotherapist. Each person’s fatigue can be different. I hope this holistic approach can provide valuable insights in understanding this condition and seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals. Awareness is critical to solving problems, so is taking personal responsibility.
Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a happy and healthy life. I’d love to obtain your feedback on how you deal with fatigue and maintain your energy daily. If you enjoyed this story, you may also check several other personal stories profiling people in my social circles and giving perspectives into solving their life challenges.
Engaging and Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories
A summary of valuable perspectives gained from people whose paths crossed with mine via serendipitous encountersmedium.com
Please note that this story is not health advice. I shared my personal experience for information only. If you have symptoms of fatigue, please consult your health care professionals.
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Dr Mehmet Yildiz 