What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as ME, CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an unpredictable and debilitating condition that can impact all areas of a person’s life. It has no specific diagnostic test, cure or FDA-approved drugs. The cause of ME/CFS is not fully understood, but is often triggered by an infection or trauma. The illness can last a lifetime, leaving people housebound and bedbound and unable to work or study.

Despite the stigma and prejudice, ME/CFS can affect anyone, from all walks of life. The condition is not rare – it’s estimated that between one and four million people in the UK have ME/CFS. People with the most severe form of ME are confined to their homes and need around-the-clock care.

Many people who have ME find it hard to get a diagnosis. The most common blood tests that doctors order don’t show anything out of the ordinary, which means that medical professionals can be unaware of ME or misdiagnose the condition as a mental health issue. This can mean that ME/CFS patients do not receive the necessary treatment, which can worsen their symptoms and make them more difficult to manage.

People with ME/CFS experience a range of symptoms including fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint pain, anxiety, sleep problems, light sensitivities, sensitivity to sound and flashing lights. A hallmark symptom of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), a worsening of symptoms after physical, cognitive or emotional exertion that would not have caused them to suffer in the past.

The condition can also present itself suddenly or build up over time. It can appear following an illness, or there may be no obvious trigger at all. In the majority of cases, ME/CFS is triggered by a viral infection. However, in a minority of cases, there is no identifiable virus involved.

While there is no cure for ME, treatments that can help to relieve symptoms include cognitive behavioural therapy; medicines to aid sleep or control pain; and ‘pacing’, which helps to manage how much energy a patient expends in a day. Many people with ME/CFS find that keeping a diary of their symptoms helps to communicate these effectively to healthcare providers.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of ME/CFS, contact Emerge Australia info line on 1800 865 321 or join a peer support group at Bridges and Pathways. You can also call the Healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for information and referral to local health services. This service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Healthdirect content is developed by Australian experts and reviewed by a nurse. Healthdirect is funded by the Australian government.

Essays on Love

A topic of enduring fascination, love has inspired philosophers, poets, and ordinary people alike. It is a powerful force that can change our lives and the world. Throughout history, different cultures have offered numerous interpretations of the nature and meaning of this emotion.

The varying definitions of love have fueled philosophical debates and spawned countless essays. Essays on love can be written from a variety of perspectives and can range from personal narratives to analytical papers. Understanding the different facets of this complex subject can help you craft an engaging essay.

According to some researchers, there are three components to love: intimacy, passion, and commitment. The intimacy component refers to a feeling of closeness and attachment. It is the reason why you might find yourself thinking about someone all day long and daydreaming about a future together. It can also be triggered by physical proximity, such as when you spend time with the person you like. The proximity of the person you like can also increase the likelihood that you will fall in love, as it causes a surge in the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which cause feelings of excitement and euphoria. As a result, your cheeks might become flushed or your palms might get sweaty when you see the person you love.

In addition, the person you love may inspire you to make changes in your life and routines to spend more time with them. This could mean adjusting your schedule to accommodate theirs or making sacrifices to meet the other’s needs. This type of love requires a deep level of trust and respect. Depending on the circumstances, this kind of love can also bring about a sense of dependency.

Other scholars believe that a person can be in love even when they are not experiencing any of the euphoria and excitement commonly associated with falling in love. For example, a person might be able to be in love for a family member or a friend, or a partner might be devoted to their work or hobby. This form of love does not necessarily involve a strong emotional connection but can be just as fulfilling as true love.

Still others argue that there are different types of love, such as the ego-driven affections reflected in sexual relationships and the selfless devotion found in religious and spiritual practices. For these scholars, love involves a combination of awe, appreciation, and respect for the other’s personality, values, and beliefs. It is a combination of empathy, loyalty, vulnerability, and honesty. These forms of love are often considered to be more mature and lasting, as they require more dedication and commitment to the other person. This is why many experts suggest that true love does not simply mean a feeling, but rather the choice to stick with a relationship over the long haul and practice loving behavior, such as caring for one another and helping each other grow into their best selves.

Motivation and Need

Need is a basic requirement of life: Without it, we die. Needs are also what motivate us: they determine our desires and priorities. When our needs are met, we feel satisfied. When they are not, we experience dissatisfaction and want to improve our lives. Psychologists divide human needs into different categories: the physiological and survival needs, esteem and belongingness, and self-actualization needs.

Physiological or survival needs include air, food, water, and shelter. The more complex esteem and belongingness needs are feelings of trust and connection to others, while the final need for self-actualization refers to creative fulfillment. These needs are essential for survival, but can also be a driving force in our lives, influencing everything from our career goals to our daily habits.

Achieving these needs takes a lot of time, energy and money. Consequently, people spend most of their lives focused on meeting these deficiency needs before they can pursue higher-order goals like achieving self-actualization.

Abraham Maslow developed his Hierarchy of Needs, which classifies human needs into five stages starting with the most basic and fundamental (e.g., Physiological and Survival) and ending with the more psychologically oriented (e.g., Self-esteem and Belongingness). Maslow’s model has been used in a variety of fields including business and psychology, but it has its critics. For example, his biographical approach and cultural biases can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Additionally, the hierarchical structure of his model makes it difficult to address individual and environmental variations.

Alderfer’s Needs Hierarchy and Self-Determination Theory both offer more flexible models of need satisfaction than Maslow’s largely sequential approach. These models allow multiple needs to be fulfilled simultaneously and can be more readily adjusted for cultural differences and personal preference. Both theories are useful frameworks for understanding human motivation, but must be adapted for specific contexts.

In the Workplace

Herzberg’s Motivational Theory is often applied in organizational settings, whereas Maslow’s theory has broader applications from education to personal development. A key difference between the two models is that Herzberg’s focuses on hygiene factors that remove sources of dissatisfaction, while Maslow’s model outlines a layered progression toward a sense of well-being and self-worth.

SDT shifts attention from a layered hierarchy to a holistic view of motivation, suggesting that personal growth and well-being arise from the constant interplay of autonomy, competence, and relatedness—regardless of one’s stage in a hierarchical structure. The theory further emphasizes that intrinsic motivations, such as genuine interest and personal values, fuel the quest for these three needs. Employers can encourage employees to pursue their self-actualization needs by providing opportunities for advancement and leveraging unique talents. For example, giving employees merit-based promotions or assigning them mentoring roles can help to satisfy esteem and belongingness needs. Additionally, allowing them to choose their own projects or work with colleagues that align with their interests can help fulfill esteem and relatedness needs. In addition, implementing performance review systems that emphasize areas of strength and skill can provide a sense of self-worth.

When Do You Need to Describe Yourself?

They say actions speak louder than words, but there are situations where your ability to articulate yourself in a few choice words can be a game changer. Whether you’re writing your college application essay, answering interview questions in a job search, or drafting a professional cover letter, choosing the right adjectives to describe yourself can make all the difference.

It can be difficult to pinpoint your most important qualities and skills, but the best way to start is by thinking about the words that come to mind when others describe you. Once you’ve come up with a list of words, select those that you think are the most accurate and reflect your personality. If you feel like your choices could be misinterpreted or have negative connotations, try using different adjectives until you find ones that capture the true essence of who you are.

When Do You Need to Describe Yourself?

Interviewers and hiring managers ask this question primarily to see how well your personality, values, and experiences align with the company’s culture and role requirements. They also want to gauge your level of self-awareness, which employers value in candidates.

When you are asked to describe yourself, choose words that show how your experience and abilities will be beneficial to the company’s mission. For example, if an interviewer asks you to describe yourself as creative, use words that highlight your design skills and unique perspectives on problems. If they ask you to describe yourself as a leader, focus on your strong interpersonal communication and management skills.

In addition to the words you select, be sure to give some professional context for each adjective that you’ve chosen. If you say that you are a team player, for instance, explain how your previous work as a project manager or volunteer coordinator shows this skill. Similarly, when you say that you are a problem-solver, provide examples of how your analytical skills have helped you find creative solutions to difficult challenges.

Be careful not to overuse generic words such as “hard-working,” “team player,” and “problem solver.” These are common clichés that can leave a negative impression with interviewers or hiring managers. Similarly, if you say that you’re an optimist, interviewers may assume that you aren’t being truthful.

What to Avoid When Answering the Question “Tell Me About Yourself”

When you’re applying for a job, you often get asked the question: “Tell me about yourself.” This gives your interviewer an idea of what kind of person you are and allows them to figure out if they think you can do the job well. There are some things you should avoid when answering this question, though.

One of the most important aspects of a good self-description is to be specific about your skills and qualities. You want to describe yourself in ways that will make you more memorable and believable, so your interviewer can imagine what it would be like to work with you. This is why it’s important to be creative in the way you answer this question, but also to focus on your strengths and how you can benefit the company or organization.

You should use this opportunity to highlight your best qualities and explain how they relate to the position you’re applying for. It’s also a great time to discuss any accomplishments that you are particularly proud of. This can help your interviewer understand why you are the best candidate for the role.

Many people who have ME/CFS struggle to get a diagnosis and can be misdiagnosed or diagnosed with another condition. This is partly because there is no test for ME/CFS and doctors can only diagnose the disease based on symptoms and using recognised criteria. It is therefore important that you work with your healthcare professional and keep a detailed log of your symptoms.

ME/CFS is a complex neuroimmune illness that is not well understood and can have devastating effects on people’s lives. The illness can appear suddenly or more slowly over time and is triggered by certain infections, usually viruses.

There is no cure and no known cause for the illness, but treatments can help manage symptoms, such as pacing activity to match your energy levels; sleep aids; painkillers; and physiotherapy. Keeping up to date with current research can also be helpful, and contacting local support groups is a good place to start (e.g. ALISS and Action for ME).

ME/CFS can affect anyone from any background, although it is more common in women than men. It can be a debilitating and isolating illness, especially when symptoms are severe, and it is sometimes not taken seriously by family and friends. The lack of understanding and awareness about the illness means that it can be difficult to access social care, employment, and NHS treatment, and may lead to disbelief and discrimination from others. Those with ME/CFS who require additional support should contact a local ME/CFS service or call the helpline at Emerge Australia (0800 865 321) for more information and advice.

The Different Views of Love

Love is a complex feeling that comes in many forms, from the bond with family and friends to the butterflies of romantic feelings. It enriches our lives and needs care and understanding to flourish. Yet, it can also cause pain and heartbreak when misunderstood or misused. Some believe that love is a basic human emotion, while others think it is a cultural phenomenon or a product of environmental pressures and expectations.

Some psychologists have developed theories of how humans love. One popular model involves three “primary” styles of love: Eros, lust; Ludus, playful love; and Storge, familial love exemplified by a parent’s love for their child. The primary styles can be mixed to produce secondary loves, similar to how colors are combined to make different shades of the same color. This model has been used by researchers to categorize various kinds of love and also to help people understand how their own relationships may be evolving.

Another view is that there are a variety of ways to love, and each form has its own benefits. For example, a mother loves her children in a way that is very different from the love of a romantic partner. While a mother’s love for her children is selfless, a romantic partner’s love can be narcissistic and selfish.

A third view of love is that it is a process, not just a feeling or an action. In this view, love is a collection of actions that are performed in the name of the person being loved, whether those actions are caring for a sick child, volunteering for a charity, or simply buying a birthday present. This kind of love is often more difficult than the emotional highs associated with a relationship, but it can lead to true happiness and peace.

In a practical sense, the Bible tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This requires more than just a warm smile and an occasional “I love you.” It also means being interested in the other person’s life, dreams, and experiences. A good way to show this love is through active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and remembering important details. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the other person, which will build trust and lead to deeper conversations.

When writing about love, it is important to show how the characters love each other. This doesn’t mean describing their physical appearance, but rather how they interact, speak to each other, and touch each other. The lingering glances, unconscious mirroring of body language, and the way they orient themselves toward each other in group scenes convey much more than any words could. By showing these elements, the reader will be able to connect with the characters and feel what they are feeling as well. In this way, the story will be more realistic and compelling. Also, if the characters are displaying some of the less desirable aspects of love, readers will be able to recognize them and be more careful not to fall into those traps themselves.

The Concept of Need

The term need, which is often shortened to need, refers to a psychological feature that causes an organism to act to satisfy a goal. Need is a central concept in the fields of philosophy, biology, psychology, social science, economics and politics. Needs are contrasted with wants, which are desires, wishes or aspirations.

The study of human needs is a central topic in anthropology, philosophy, history, sociology, psychology and political science. In philosophy, the idea of need is based on the idea that every person has certain fundamental requirements to live a happy and healthy life. These requirements are called needs, and they include food, water, shelter, clothing and health care. Without these essentials, a person cannot function normally in society.

Psychologists, however, are divided on what constitutes a need. Some think that a need is only something a person cannot do without, while others define the word more broadly to include anything that prevents an individual from fully functioning in his or her environment. Regardless of the definition, psychologists agree that an individual’s need is a factor in behavior.

A number of psychological theories of need exist, but the most prominent and well-known is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow’s theory argues that a human being has various levels of needs that must be met in order to achieve happiness and success. The first level of needs involves basic survival requirements, such as water, food and shelter. Once these necessities are met, the next level includes self-esteem, accomplishment and belonging. Finally, the highest level of needs includes love and esteem from others.

In addition to the hierarchy of needs, other psychologists also focus on how a person’s perception of his or her needs influence his or her behavior. For example, a person may believe that he or she is a good parent because he or she provides all of the needs of the child. This perception can be problematic because it may lead to feelings of resentment when the child does not meet his or her needs.

Another approach to the notion of need is the theory of self-determination, developed by Doyal and Gough. This theory emphasizes that a person has a responsibility to work toward his or her own version of what is good for himself and for the society in which he or she lives. This view of need is compatible with the capability approach to development developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nusbaum.

It is important to distinguish between a need and a want, especially when talking about the needs of a person or of a community. Many words have countable and uncountable uses, such as the word exam. Usually, it is possible to determine whether the noun in question is countable or uncountable by asking the question, “Can there be more than one instance of this noun?” If the answer is yes, then it is a countable noun and requires an article, such as the definite article ‘the’.

Using the Word You in English

When you use the word you, you are referring to the person you’re talking to or writing about. You is a noun, and nouns can be countable or uncountable. If you’re talking about a specific noun, the article the should be used. The article the means that you and the people you’re writing/talking to will both know which noun you mean.

The definite article the is also used to refer to a group of nouns that are all related to one another. The group can be a group of nouns that start with the same letter, or a group of nouns that are pronounced the same way when spoken. The group must be distinct from other nouns, which are not part of the same category.

In Early Modern English, there were two forms of the second person singular pronoun you: thou and ye. The latter was generally used to indicate a close relationship with someone, or a deferential attitude towards a stranger or social superior. Due to language change, thou was gradually replaced by you in most contexts, and it eventually fell into disuse altogether, though it is still used in some dialects.

Singular you is now generally considered to be a polite form of address, and it is often paired with the formal you’re in written texts. However, informal you is still common in conversation and can be a sign of respect or familiarity.

In American English, there are a number of other ways to make the distinction between singular and plural you clear: you-all, you-uns, yez and youse (from you + ones) are all used in nonstandard speech, as are yours, a variant of your which is also used by some British speakers. Y’all is a popular choice in Southern United States and African-American Vernacular English, where it is sometimes used to emphasize a regional identity.

ME and CFS – What is ME?

ME is a complex, neuroimmunological illness which profoundly limits patients’ health and wellbeing. It is triggered by an infection, often viral. It can appear suddenly or develop more gradually. It is not well understood and there are no tests or cures. It affects people from all ages and backgrounds. It is twice as common in women as in men. It may be triggered by a number of factors, including a virus, surgery, trauma, hormonal shifts (pregnancy, menopause) and traumatic events.

GPs are able to diagnose ME/CFS with an accurate history and clinical examination. It is important for patients to work closely with their doctors, documenting and communicating their symptoms accurately. Patients with ME/CFS can find it helpful to keep a diary of their symptoms and use the resources available on the Action for ME website.

A key symptom of ME is post-exertional malaise, which is a worsening of symptoms following physical or mental activity. This can last for weeks or longer. ME/CFS can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as trouble concentrating, unrefreshing sleep, pain, periods of bloating and constipation and problems regulating body temperature. It is important to recognise and treat these other conditions, known as comorbidities, as they can cause additional symptoms or limit patients’ ability to participate in daily activities.

Research is ongoing to explore the causes of ME/CFS, which is believed to be an autoimmune disease. Studies are looking at potential triggers, such as infections and hormones. One international study, Decode ME, aims to discover whether there is a genetic cause of the illness by testing thousands of individual DNA samples.

Research is needed to develop safe and effective treatments for ME. Until this happens, patients and their families need support to be able to live the best lives they can and to help manage their symptoms. It is crucial that the UK government, healthcare professionals and wider society understands ME/CFS better so that they can provide appropriate support for patients.

Understanding the Different Types of Love

The word “love” has a broad range of definitions. Some psychologists use it to describe a general feeling of positive sentiment, a more potent emotion than mere liking. Others define it as an emotion characterized by a mix of primary emotions, such as affection and trust. Still, other researchers see love as a cultural construct that arises from the combination of social expectations and psychological drives.

Love can be found in a variety of relationships, from the bond between parents and children to the camaraderie of friends to the butterflies of romantic feelings. Regardless of its form, it enriches our lives and provides support during tough times. However, it is important to remember that not all forms of love are healthy. The key to avoiding unhealthy loves is to identify what kind of love you are looking for and how you can find it.

If you are searching for companionate or eudaemonic love, try making deeper connections with those around you by having meaningful conversations and prioritizing emotional compatibility. This will help you discover a person with whom you are likely to find mutual trust and respect. In addition, try expanding your social circle by joining groups or attending events that align with your interests. This will increase your opportunities to meet people who share common values and passions.

On the other hand, if you are seeking romantic love, focus on finding someone who shares your interest in a particular activity or hobby. Developing a shared interest will not only deepen your connection, but it can also spark an intense feeling of attraction. To get started, try asking your acquaintances about their favorite hobbies and expressing your interest in their answers. This will create a sense of reciprocity, which can lead to a more serious relationship.

Biological models of love tend to see it as a mammalian drive, similar to hunger or thirst. Psychologists, on the other hand, often view it as a complex phenomenon that involves several emotions, including attachment and compassion.

Several psychological disorders are associated with love, including erotomania. Love can also have negative implications when it is used as an excuse to commit crimes. For example, a psychopath might love their victim and show little guilt. In addition, a man who is infatuated with another man may be unable to distinguish between the two.

Some philosophers and theologians believe that there are different types of love. For example, kama consists of intimacy and lust; prema consists of devotion and commitment; and consummate love consists of all three components. In addition, some Hindu writers and theologians have distinguished nine forms of bhakti (loving devotion to the divine).