The treatment goal of holistic therapy is to mobilize the patients in order to expand the horizons of their lifestyle.

The common notion that chronic fatigue syndrome has no cure works against having a speedy recovery of the disease. This implies that nothing can be done to help people who suffer from this syndrome. This definitely is not the case. A person's lifestyle often plays an important part in the development of CFS and in the exacerbation of its symptoms. People who are leading an unhealthy lifestyle are at greater than average risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome, or of making a slow recovery.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is often triggered by an infection or by trauma. For example, one person became ill after his car struck a wayward deer running across the freeway.

Also, there is often a pattern of job stress, relationship problems, school problems, excessive time commitments, and too little attention to one's own needs at the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome. After becoming ill, if the victims continue to partake of these types of stressful activities excessively, or fail to slow down until they are comfortable with their lifestyles, then it will be very difficult to recover because stress generally aggravates the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Thus the road to recovery for many sufferers of CFS start when they examine their lifestyle and make changes to it top make it less stressful.

CFS will best benefit from a sustained and multipronged approach to healing.

Mental and Emotional Health Recommendations

Almost all the mental and emotional treatment techniques used to treat depression are also effective in treating CFS. The same holds true of the emotional issues associated with CFS. There is usually such a strong emotional factor contributing to CFS that some form of psychotherapy is recommended as a part of the treatment program. Most CFS patients report that their illness has made them stop, slow down, reassess their values and priorities, and refocus their lives in a more balanced direction.

Social and Spiritual Health Recommendations

CFS is a condition in which life force energy has been depleted and in this sense can be thought of as a spiritual disease. This is usually associated with a deprivation of love. Techniques such as intimacy-enhancing exercises, meditation, prayer gratitude, and especially forgiveness, can help to strengthen the immune system while giving your body, mind, and spirit an infusion of the healing energy of love.

General Recommendations

See your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. There are many other health problems that can cause symptoms similar to those of CFS.

Investigate the possibility that you have undetected food allergies or sensitivities.

If you are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, support both your mind and body with all the resources at your command. Above all, be patient. CFS is a complicated condition that cannot be resolved overnight.

Giving in and giving up is the worst thing you can do. However, you must give yourself permission to rest. Rest is important.

Involve your loved ones in your recovery. They must understand that the condition is real, not imagined.

Homeopathy

Many homeopathic remedies exist to help alleviate chronic fatigue. When dealing with chronic fatigue, it is best to consult a homeopathic practitioner for a constitutional remedy.

Kali phos is useful for fatigue with trembling, due to stress or nervous exhaustion from overwork. Symptoms include irritability, anxiety, fear of losing control and muscle fatigue upon exertion. Take the 30c strength twice daily for up to 14 days. Repeat dose if beneficial.

Arsenicum album is used for exhaustion accompanied by anxiety, constant feeling of cold with joint and muscle pain, aching and burning all over from stiffness, weakness with exertion, tendency to migraines, loose bowels and blurred vision. Take the 30c strength twice daily for up to 14 days. Repeat dose if beneficial.

Nux vomica is generally given for irritable fatigue caused by lack of sleep, stress or overwork. Tense muscles, feeling chilled, joint pain, and indigestion are symptoms. Take the 30c strength twice daily for up to 14 days. Repeat dose if beneficial.

Argentum nitricum is useful if you are fearful, anxiety- ridden, and secretive, with irrational motives for your acts, which are often kept hidden. Other symptoms are: headaches with coldness and trembling, poor sleep, bad dreams, and losing the sense of smell. Take one dose Argentum nitricum 30x or 12c, three times daily, as needed, for up to three days.

Phosphoricum acidum is good if you are feeling emotionally and physically drained and apathetic, perhaps due to grief. Take one dose of Phosphoricum acidum 30x or 15c three times daily, as needed, for up to three days.

Picricum acidum will help if you feel terrible after the least exertion, especially after mental exertion, and have an aversion to food. You may feel so tired that you lack willpower and determination, and you frequently have headaches that are relieved by strong pressure. Take one dose of Picricum acidum 3c or 6x three times daily, as needed, for up to three days.

Silicea is good for headaches and exhaustion caused by overwork. You tend to be chilly and sensitive to cold air, and often have cramps in the calves and soles of your feet. If you are a woman, you may have a vaginal discharge. Take one dose of Silicea 30x or 15c three times daily, as needed, for up to three days.

Zincum metallicum is generally prescribed if you are forgetful and tend to repeat things. You are mentally exhausted and very sensitive to noise, grind your teeth while sleeping, and may suffer from chronic constipation. Take one dose of Zincum metallicum 30x or 15c three times daily, as needed, for up to three days.

Bach Flower Remedies

A number of Bach Flower remedies are available to treat emotional tendencies and concerns.

Aspen is good if you are fearful but cannot (or cannot bring yourself to) explain your feeling of fright. You may have trouble sleeping because of bad dreams.

Holly eases feelings of anger and fits of temper due to insecurity and jealousy.

Hornbeam helps alleviate fatigue and utter exhaustion.

Impatiens calms impatience, tension, nervousness, and irritability.

Mimulus is good if you are shy and timid, and frequently and clearly express your fears.

Individual counseling

Individual counseling allows any psychological issues that may accompany chronic fatigue syndrome to be explored in depth. There are many reasons why some prefer individual therapy instead of group therapy.

• They may not be comfortable speaking in front of a group.

• They may have so many issues to deal with that there is not enough time to discuss them in a group setting where everyone's concerns must be met.

• They may have become extremely dysfunctional or depressed because of the illness and they may require intensive individual counseling, which is not available in a group.

An ideal way for patients to improve their self-esteem and learn to lead a healthier lifestyle is to attend a support group as well as meet with a counselor on an individual basis. This way you will get the best of both therapies, support available in a group setting as well as individual attention available in a solo therapy setting. Many CFS patients get depressed and the therapy is very useful in coping with that and other psychological issues.