I have a friend who has chronic fatigue syndrome. I actually thought this was an excuse to be lazy although this is actually a diagnosis that is treatable. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, is a condition that makes you feel so tired that you can't do all of your normal, daily activities. There are other symptoms too, but being very tired for at least 6 months is the main one.
For many years, her doctors treated her for depression but she was not depressed, she just really didn't want to move although she had a good attitude and was pretty upbeat. Seems weird to explain how someone can be so tired yet seem as if they just got out of the gym. Since my friend and I are actually several States apart, we mainly talk on the phone and no one would have guessed that she constantly slept or laid down as soon as she got home from work. She was actually diagnosed due to her allergies after several trips to different doctors.
There are several treatments available for CFS. My friend was actually put on antihistamines to treat her allergies and was also put on a rigorous schedule to put exercise into her daily living and she is feeling much better. She says that it is hard to get motivated after being in bed for several years but she is making a conscious effort.
The Mayo Clinic provides a lot of information on CFS and you can find the information here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395/DSECTION=treatments%2Dand%2Ddrugs.
Do you know of anyone that has CFS? Can you share how they deal with their diagnosis?