Does this sound like you?
The M.E Profile and the Double Bind
Its a real double edged sword
Surface Behaviour
Independent
Can cope with anything
Displays emotional strength
Roaches goals easily
Determined
Always there for everyone
A shoulder to cry on
Good bounce back ability
In control
Highly reliable
Fits everything in with ease
Driver of Behaviour
Creates a busy life to avoid feeling pain
Overly empathetic/sensitive
Feeling everything very deeply
Pushes self beyond limits
Fear of not being enough
Cant cope with conflict
Fear overwhelm
Lost connection to own body
Fear of being seen as lazy or weak
Suffers in silence
Unforgiving of self
This leads to an inauthentic existence
Common Syptoms
Flu-like feeling
Persistent exhaustion
Fatigue
Post-exertional malaise
Feeling generally unwell
Aching muscles and joints
Nerve pains or pins and needles
Headache or migraine
Twitching muscles or cramps
Abdominal pain (stomach or bowel problems)
Recurrent sore throat, with or without swollen glands
Un-refreshing sleep
Waking for long periods in the early hours
Light, dreamy, restless sleep
Day/night reversal
Hypersomnia (sleeping for a long time)
Reduced attention span
Short-term memory problems
Word -finding difficulties/inability to plan or organize thoughts
Loss of concentration
Brain fog
Frustration
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Low mood, depression
Mood swings and irritability
Poor temperature control
Dizziness on standing up
Hypersensitivity to light and sound
Sweating
Loss of balance
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Indigestion
Excessive wind/bloating
Alternating diarrhea and constipation
Increased sensitivity
Bright lights
Noise
Odors
Food intolerances
Medications
Alcohol/caffeine
Other substances
Poor temperature regulation - cold hands and feet
Hormone imbalances
Adrenal dysregulation
Hypothyroidism
NB, women often find worsening of symptoms in line with menstrual cycle
These are common, but by no means an exhaustive list. I for one had many symptoms not directly listed!