Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a devastating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Imagine feeling exhausted after walking two blocks, having chronic sore throats and muscle and joint pain. Imagine your head feels stuffed with wet sand and when you try to read, words swim on the page. Imagine feeling heavy and sluggish rather than rested after a night's sleep. These are some of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness.

In some cases, CFS can persist for years. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Researchers have long suspected and searched for a virus as the cause. It is now suspected that chronic fatigue syndrome, like cancer, represents a cluster of clinically distinct diseases whose origins may lie in a combination of factors: one or more viruses, environmental toxins, stress and genetic predisposition.

Right now, there is no treatment that works to cure chronic fatigue syndrome. The good news is there are things you can do to feel better, increase the level at which you can function and improve your quality of life. Talking with your health care provider about treatments for your symptoms, along with ways to manage your fatigue, is a good place to start. And, building a good relationship with your provider is the key to managing your illness over time.

When you have CFS, learning how to pace yourself and manage or avoid physical and emotional stress is important. Physical activity helps you to feel better not just physically, but emotionally as well. Regular exercise can lessen body aches, joint and muscle pain, and increase energy. But, be careful not to over do it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a special treatment that can help you to change the way you think about your condition. It also helps you to develop ways to improve both your daily functioning and quality of life.
Thus, if you become so disabled with CFS that you can no longer work, you can contact the Social Security Administration for help with disability benefits. There are two social security programs that have the same medical requirements for disability payments – the Social Security Disability Insurance Program and the Supplemental Security Income Program. And your prior work history will determine if you can receive Social Security disability.