Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is something that is often misunderstood by those who don’t struggle with the disorder. They imagine that the person just feels relatively tired. An outsider may think that everyone feels tired from time to time, and they won’t understand why this could be a disability.
But the reality is that CFS goes far beyond simply feeling tired. It is an extreme condition that can lead to fatigue that keeps a person from being able to hold down a job. This is why someone with CFS may qualify for disability benefits.
What are the potential symptoms?
Every case is unique, as with most medical conditions, but below are some of the potential symptoms of CFS a person may see:
- Joint pain
- Significant, recurring headaches
- Muscle pain and weakness
- A recurring sore throat
- Cardiovascular abnormalities, which may include heart palpitations
- Feeling unrefreshed when waking up, so that nothing can cure the fatigue
- Abnormal immune function
- Prolonged viral infections
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Insomnia or other distributions to their normal sleeping patterns
- Short-term memory issues
- Concentration or attention issues
- Cognitive impairments
Often, people will suffer from something called post-exertional malaise. This simply means that their symptoms can quickly get worse any time they have to put in emotional, mental or physical effort. In other words, someone with chronic fatigue syndrome could be feeling rather well and decide to try to go to work, but even the normal amount of effort that work requires sends them into a spiral where their fatigue takes over.
Seeking proper benefits
If you have CFS or another disability, be sure you know what steps to take to seek the SSDI benefits you deserve. Legal guidance can help.