Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease

Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease vs. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

At the age of 25, I was officially diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. When my doctor told me, my first thought was: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was the stupidest name for what I was experiencing.  To be honest, I never got over that. I still think that the name is dumb.

My battle with CFS lasted for several years. For a time I identified with my illness, I wrapped it around myself like a blanket and slept away my days.  I was a year in before I decided to try to figure a way back out. It was almost two years before I chose to identify more with healing than with my illness. Looking back, that shift in my focus from illness to healing was in many ways a miracle.

Someone I loved once gave me a box of darkness. It took me years to realize that this too, was a gift.
~ M. Oliver

During the time of healing I learned far more than I lost. I recognize now that the process of healing from CFS was a remarkable teacher.  My illness, in many ways, woke me up to my life.

Nearly 15 years since my diagnosis and it turns out that I wasn’t the only one that hated the name Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Recently the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has chosen to reclassify CFS as Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease.  It may seem silly, but even now, ten years out from my healing, I am glad for that change.

 

In my healing practice I specialize in helping others find their way back to themselves.  I would be so happy to help you.