What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)?

The condition, which is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a debilitating illness whose cause remains unknown. It’s a relapsing-remitting disease that can impact individuals differently and affect their daily functioning, work and home life.

The most common symptoms are extreme tiredness, which often makes it difficult to think or concentrate, and memory problems, called brain fog. Many people with ME/CFS have trouble working or need to limit their social activities. Those who are most severely affected may be housebound or bedbound, needing around-the-clock care.

Fatigue is a symptom of many illnesses, so it can be hard to get a diagnosis. There’s no specific test for ME and many people with the condition have been misdiagnosed or told they’re imagining their symptoms. As a result, up to 90 percent of ME/CFS patients have not been properly diagnosed.

Currently, there’s no cure for ME/CFS, but doctors can help with managing the illness by prescribing medicines to treat symptoms like pain and sleep problems. They can also teach people how to conserve their energy and take it easy in order to avoid overtaxing themselves.

Research continues to explore what causes ME/CFS, including whether it’s an underlying health problem or a psychiatric disorder. Genetics, infections, and immune system problems may be involved. Researchers are currently trying to find out what’s behind ME/CFS by examining samples of thousands of people’s DNA as part of the DecodeME project.

ME/CFS is sometimes triggered by an infection, such as the coronavirus pandemic or flu. But it’s a relapsing-remitting illness, and the effects can last for months.

As such, it’s important to be able to recognize symptoms and seek treatment as soon as possible.

The CDC recommends that patients see their doctor or nurse if they’re experiencing ME/CFS symptoms. They’ll ask about the person’s medical history and their symptoms. Then they’ll recommend treatment based on what the person reports.

In the US, a patient’s doctor may refer them to an ME/CFS specialist. Specialists can provide ongoing treatment and support and coordinate other care providers. They can also help educate and train other healthcare professionals about the condition.

Many people with ME/CFS have one or more additional diseases (comorbidities). These include fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS, increased heart rate when standing) and Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome (hyperextensibility disorder). Some also experience secondary depression or mast cell disorders. These comorbidities can make ME/CFS worse. That’s why it’s important for all healthcare providers to know about the conditions and how to spot them.

The Different Types of Love

If you ask most people to define love, they probably can’t agree on one definitive definition. But there’s a general understanding that it includes a deep affection and attachment to someone else, and that it often includes a desire to protect and support that person even when they do things you don’t like. Love is the force that keeps us going through tough times, and it’s also what gives meaning to our lives and makes them worthwhile.

Many different types of love exist, from familial love (the love you have for your parents, siblings, children, or spouse) to platonic love (the kind you have for friends). Love can also be a feeling that comes from being infatuated with someone, which may be triggered by a rise in the brain chemical serotonin and the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin during romantic interactions. In addition to a sense of attachment and bonding, this kind of love can also lead to a desire to spend more time with the person, and even daydreaming about them.

While these types of love can be very real and powerful, they’re usually not what most people think of when they talk about “love.” Most people tend to think about the love they have for a specific person, whether it’s their significant other, best friend, or pet. This type of love often comes with a sense of trust and security, which helps create a strong bond that allows people to openly communicate their feelings without fear of rejection or betrayal.

Even though this form of love can be difficult at times, it’s important to remember that it’s a healthy way to relate to others and can lead to long-term stability. This kind of love can also be beneficial from an evolutionary standpoint, since it helps promote pair bonding and parental investment in offspring.

Another key aspect of this type of love is its permanence, which means that it doesn’t fade over time. In fact, it often strengthens and deepens as the two people get to know each other better and build a foundation of trust and security. This type of love is based on mutual respect, vulnerability, and a desire to celebrate each other for who they are.

When writing a story, it’s important to consider what kind of love you want your characters to exhibit. If you’re just relying on a feeling to portray a character’s love, it’s likely that your audience will lose interest in the story quickly. Instead, try to focus on the actions your characters take and how they treat each other. This will help your readers connect with your characters and truly feel the depth of their relationship. If possible, use vivid descriptions to convey these emotions and bring them into the story so they can experience it firsthand. For example, describe the way your character looks at their loved one or how they hold their hand. The more your readers feel the intensity of your characters’ emotions, the more they’ll be invested in your story.

The Concept of Need

The word need describes the desire for something essential, which can include things like food, water, and shelter. It can also describe the desire for a sense of belonging or self-worth. The concept of need is central to a number of academic fields, including psychology, sociology, and educational psychology. The academic study of need reached its zenith in the 1950s, but it still receives attention today.

The most widely known psychological theory of need focuses on the idea that people have a hierarchy of needs, from the physiological or lower-order needs of food, water and safety through to higher-order social or growth needs such as belonging, esteem and self-actualization. This theory was developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943 and remains one of the most influential models of human motivation.

However, defining what exactly constitutes a need can be challenging. In part, this is because the details of how a person meets his or her needs can vary across different contexts. Furthermore, the definition of a need is often culturally specific. For example, some cultures may place a greater emphasis on the need to belong than others.

Moreover, it is possible for the concept of need to be used as an economic tool to measure the well-being of a country or region. Using the needs model, economists can compare the relative income of individuals in different countries and regions. In this way, they can estimate the degree to which a nation or region is underdeveloped in terms of its ability to provide its citizens with essential goods and services.

In addition to the need to belong, there is a growing body of evidence that shows the importance of the need for autonomy in human motivation and well-being. For example, studies show that children who feel a strong need for autonomy in their schools have better school outcomes than those who do not. In addition, the need for autonomy is a predictor of lifelong mental health.

Another academic field that has studied the need for belonging is social exchange theory, which explains that human beings have an innate desire to affiliate with other members of their species. This need for affiliation is thought to have evolved in order to make culture possible, so that humans could survive and reproduce more successfully.

In English, there are three articles – definite, indefinite, and zero. The definite article the is used when you and your reader or listener both know about the noun that you are referring to. For example, you would use the article the when referring to a meeting that both you and the other person are attending this afternoon. Generally, you should only use the definite article when the noun is already familiar to you and your reader or listener. Otherwise, it might sound pompous and pretentious to write or speak in this fashion. There are some exceptions to this rule, though, and even native speakers of English sometimes disagree about when to use the definite article.

How to Select the Best Word to Use in Your Interview

When you enter a professional interview, you should be prepared to answer questions that the hiring manager or interviewer may have. One of these could be a simple question such as, “How would you describe yourself?” You should have some adjectives in mind to respond with that are honest, accurate and authentic. While it’s tempting to haphazardly list a bunch of positive qualities that you think are important, it’s better to choose words that will truly capture your character and personality in an honest way.

Using the wrong word in your response can leave a negative impression on the interviewer, so take some time to review this article to help you select the best word for each situation. This will allow you to provide an effective, memorable response that will leave a positive impression on the person interviewing you.

A pronoun that refers to the subject of a sentence or clause, you is also sometimes used as a synonym for ye, which is a form of the second-person pronoun that was formally used in the past, though it gradually lost popularity and respectability. Several forms were later contrived to hold you chiefly to singular use, such as you guys, y’all, you-uns and youse, though these did not become standard.

In the United States, you guys and y’all are used to indicate the plural of you. These are not considered grammatically correct, but are acceptable in some circles, particularly among younger speakers. You-uns is another variant, but it does not appear to be gaining traction with educated speakers.

You is also the only second-person pronoun that can be used in a formal context as well as an informal one. It is commonly used in certain types of written communication, such as business emails and memos. It is also commonly used in casual settings, such as text messages or social media posts.

The use of you is also influenced by regional dialects. For example, in Southern English, you is pronounced as y’all. This pronunciation is regarded as informal, but not necessarily rude, and it can be found in many parts of the country. It can also be used in formal contexts, such as when addressing a superior or government official.

In Latin America, the form used for you varies depending on the country and region. Some countries do not have a distinct tu form, while others use vos for both the singular and plural, though tu is often reserved for more formal situations. In some areas, the vos form is used instead of tu with people you know very well. In other areas, a marked plural form, called ustedes, is used.

Choosing the Best Adjectives to Define Yourself

Whether you’re describing your skills, accomplishments, or personality to a potential employer or even a good friend, choosing the right adjectives is critical. Overusing negative words can make you sound pessimistic or insincere, and too many positive ones can come across as false. Choosing the best adjectives is also important because it sends the message that you’re optimistic, confident, and genuine.

The best adjectives to describe yourself are those that capture your unique strengths, qualities, and beliefs in an honest and authentic way. For example, using words like “amazing,” “genius,” or “marketing ninja” is fine in an informal setting but could come off as over-inflated and unconvincing in a job interview. It’s also important to avoid clichés and buzzwords that have been used over and over again in the industry you’re applying for.

For example, describing yourself as a “people person” is an overused and clichéd term that has lost its meaning in recent years. Instead, try to focus on your unique skills and talents that make you a great candidate for the position. For example, if you’re a highly organized individual, highlight this skill in your interview by sharing examples of your previous work experience.

If you have ME/CFS, your doctor may recommend treatments to help relieve symptoms such as pacing, which involves matching your level of activity to your limited amount of energy; medications including pain medications, sleep aids and anti-depressants; physical therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or graded exercise therapy (GET), which are based on assumptions that people with ME are afraid to exercise and therefore out of shape, but they can actually cause more harm than good for those with ME. In addition, healthcare providers can provide support as patients and their families learn to live with this complex condition.

Research hasn’t found what causes ME/CFS, and there are no laboratory tests that can diagnose it directly. Because of this, doctors must evaluate a patient’s medical history and current symptoms to make the diagnosis.

The cardinal symptom of ME/CFS is post-exertional malaise, or PEM, which is characterized by a period of symptoms following physical or mental overexertion and lasts more than 24 hours. It is similar to the feeling you might get after plugging in your cell phone after a long day and finding that it still hasn’t been fully charged.

In some cases, ME can be so severe that it prevents a person from working full or part time or from attending school. Most severely affected individuals are housebound or bedbound and often need around-the-clock care.

ME/CFS is a complex disorder that affects all ages, sexes and races. The illness can range from mild to severe, and it is more common in women than men. It impacts adolescents and children, and some people can have relapses or periods of regression of their symptoms over time. Research shows that ME/CFS is more disabling than conditions such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease and cancer. People with ME/CFS score lower on quality of life surveys than people who aren’t disabled.

What Is Love?

Love is an emotion that encompasses deep affection and attachment, as well as a complex blend of emotions. It can be difficult to define because it often comes in different shapes and forms, and can involve physical sensations as well as mental processes. While some people may use the term to describe a romantic attachment, others might use it to describe a close friendship. Some even use the word to refer to a particular object, such as a favorite toy or car.

Throughout history, philosophers and scientists have debated the nature of love. Some thinkers, such as the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, believed that it was a feeling caused by outside factors like attraction and pleasure, while others thought that love was something that could only be achieved through building lasting relationships with a partner. Recent advances in neuroscience have helped to clarify some of the mystery around love. For example, researchers have found that when a person falls in love, it causes activation in reward pathways in the brain. This suggests that the feelings of euphoria and excitement experienced in love might last longer than previously thought, providing evidence that the feeling isn’t just temporary.

But many experts agree that, regardless of the specific biological mechanisms involved, there are also social and cultural influences on the way we feel about and experience love. It’s generally agreed that a sense of closeness or attachment is essential to loving someone, and that this is generally driven by a combination of factors. These include proximity or propinquity, which is a feeling of familiarity and closeness that increases when you live near someone, spend time with them, think about them, and anticipate interacting with them. It also includes desirability, which is a sense of attractiveness that is based on a combination of physical attributes and personality traits. Finally, it is usually augmented by mutual attraction and a sense that the other person shares your values and preferences.

Another important aspect of love is a desire to protect and help the person you care about, even if they make mistakes. This can be a challenging part of love, especially when a partner engages in self-destructive behaviors. Yet, it is possible to continue to love a person who has serious issues with addictions or erratic behavior, as long as you make an effort to work together toward healthy patterns of communication and behavior.

It’s important to remember that love can be difficult and complicated, but it is worth it in the end. There will be days, maybe weeks or even months, when you aren’t all mushy-gushy in love with the person you’re with. But it’s still worth hanging in there because the long-term rewards of a solid relationship can be well worth the early morning doctor’s visits and cleaning up bodily fluids. Ultimately, the best definition of love is one that allows you to build strong bonds with those you care about while enacting positive values like respect and empathy.

Understanding Needs and Frustrations

A need is an objectively measurable, unavoidable, and enduring human state. When a need is not met, people feel unsatisfied or frustrated. This is the opposite of a want, which is an objectively measurable, avoidable, and transient state. For example, children might say that they need a new toy for their birthday, or adults might say that they need a vacation to get over the stress of work. Similarly, flood victims might say that they need assistance, or employees might say that they need to stay late to finish an urgent project.

Needs are a central topic of research in the fields of psychology, philosophy, biology, economics, sociology, and social work. They are also the underlying basis of many of our everyday actions and decisions. People seek to satisfy their needs in the most efficient way possible, balancing short-term satisfactions against long-term benefits. They also seek to avoid frustrations that can undermine their motivation, wellbeing and sense of control. The prevailing scientific view of needs is that they play an essential role in defining and sustaining people’s well-being.

The basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) identifies three distinct, universally relevant psychological needs: 1. the need for physiological stability (e.g., food, water, shelter) 2. the need for relatedness (e.g., friendship, family) 3. and the need for autonomy (e.g., freedom to make choices) (Ryan et al. 2017). BPNT also claims that the benefits and costs of need satisfactions and frustrations are pervasive, encompassing a wide range of outcomes at all levels of analysis from individual to societal, and across various domains of functioning.

For example, researchers have found that a person’s experience of need satisfaction and frustration reliably predicts a variety of ill-being indicators, such as stress (Campbell et al. 2017), depressive symptoms (Cordeiro et al. 2016), and anxiety (Ng et al. 2012), and that they occur at the level of both (relatively stable) between-person differences and within-person fluctuations across time, with monthly, weekly, daily, and even hourly variations in need frustration co-varying with corresponding fluctuations in ill-being. These findings, combined with a number of mechanistic correlates, suggest that the current psychological needs are fundamental and highly functional (Associated Criterion #1).

An important next step is to develop more reliable self-report measures of need thwarting conditions and need frustrating experiences, and to broaden the scope of research into these needs to encompass a greater array of ill-being and motivational outcomes. Furthermore, future studies using longitudinal designs will help to further establish whether a person’s experienced need frustration plays a key role in actualizing their potential for psychopathology and awakening vulnerabilities for psychopathology. Finally, it will be important to determine if the proposed need-candidate experiences of novelty and variety are associated with similar benefits and costs as the currently established needs, and whether they differ in their effects over time. If so, it would be interesting to examine if these additional facets of the need for variety and novelty serve unique functions that are distinct from the more universally applicable feelings of relatedness and autonomy.

How to Answer the Question, “What Makes You Unique?”

The hiring manager’s question, “What makes you unique?”, may seem like it’s all about them, but it’s actually an opportunity for you to distinguish yourself from other candidates. The interviewer wants to know more about you than what’s on your resume – the skills, personality traits and experiences that make you who you are. They also want to see if your values and work style will be a good fit with the company’s culture.

The answer to this question can be difficult to define, but you can start by evaluating the qualities that you believe are most important in your success at work and in life. If you’re struggling to come up with a list, ask others what they think makes you special. Friends and family are a great resource for this, as they will be able to provide honest opinions that can help you develop your list. They can even offer examples of times when you used that trait in action, which will give the interviewer concrete evidence to back up your claims.

Once you have a list of qualities that make you stand out from other applicants, it’s time to start thinking about how to articulate them in an interview. When answering this question, it’s important to use words that will convey the qualities you’re trying to highlight in a way that is both positive and engaging. You don’t want to use words that are too negative or exaggerated, as this will only hurt your chances of getting the job.

In order to craft a strong response, you should begin by reading the job description carefully. Focus on the specific skill set and requirements of the role, and then use the words from your list that best represent those qualities. For example, if you’re applying for an IT position, you might use the words “technical aptitude,” “problem-solving” and “teamwork” to describe your abilities.

When you’re ready to practice your interview, get a friend or family member to ask you to give them a short description of yourself using the qualities from your list. They will be able to evaluate whether your word choice is appropriate and engaging, and can provide feedback on the story you tell about yourself.

When it comes to preparing for interviews, there’s no such thing as being over-prepared. The more you can prepare, the better chance you have of nailing every interview and landing your dream job. To help you do just that, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to all of the most important things you need to know about how to prepare for and excel at every step of the interview process. From how to craft a perfect resume and cover letter to aceing the toughest questions in the interview, this guide has everything you need to make sure your next job is the one for you. Download the free eBook today to get started!

Who Am I?

When people are asked to describe themselves, they usually think of their personality traits and skills. For example, someone might say they are friendly and a good listener. But a person’s true personality is complex, with varying facets that can change over time. For this reason, it is not easy to find out who they really are.

A ‘Who am I’ quiz can help remove the guesswork, but they should not be taken as a scientific diagnosis. In fact, many of these types of tests have not been proven to be accurate or useful. However, a person can use the results of these tests to help them better understand themselves and others.

There is no known cause for ME, but it has been linked to viral infections and hormone imbalances. It may also be hereditary. Research is continuing to investigate potential triggers, such as environmental factors and gene mutations.

The symptoms of ME are different for everyone, and can include extreme fatigue and cognitive difficulties – sometimes known as brain fog. It can also cause a variety of physical problems, including pain and mobility issues. It is estimated that around 250,000 people in the UK have ME. But charity Action for ME believes the number is closer to 750,000.

Diagnosing ME can be difficult because of its broad and overlapping symptoms. These can be similar to those of other conditions, such as fibromyalgia and Lyme disease, making it hard for healthcare professionals to distinguish the condition from these. The NHS has been criticised for not providing sufficient care for people with ME, and the inquest heard that it can take up to five years to get a diagnosis.

Symptoms of ME are often described as “post-exertional malaise”. This means that after physical or mental exertion, the symptoms get worse for hours or even days and then slowly start to improve. These episodes are known as relapses. Other symptoms include sleep problems, recurrent flu-like illnesses and persistent fatigue and a lack of motivation or energy.

ME is more common in women than men, and can affect people from all ages and backgrounds. It can be difficult for people with ME to hold down a job and many need to take extended periods of leave, but there are ways to help. Health care providers can prescribe treatments such as pacing, which involves matching the amount of activity to the available energy; sleep aids; and medications for pain and anxiety. They can also support people with ME apply for disability, obtain assistive devices and access workplace or school adjustments.

The ME Association has compiled a list of links to organisations that provide support for adults and children with ME. It also has a Guide to Employment Issues that can be helpful. A number of charities are also working to increase awareness of ME. Solve ME is a global network of organisations that focuses on advocacy and raising awareness, as well as supporting patients and their families.

What Is Love?

Love is one of those topics that spawns debates and inspires poets and songwriters. It can also make or break relationships, feel amazing and hurt, bring peace and conflict, and give meaning to people around the world. But what exactly is it? It’s a question that has stumped philosophers, writers and scientists alike for years. Fortunately, thanks to advances in brain imaging technology, we have a better understanding of what happens when people fall in love. They have found that, surprisingly, love isn’t a single emotion but rather a combination of different feelings and emotions including lust, attraction and attachment.

Some see love as a basic mammalian drive similar to hunger or thirst. Others view it as more of a cultural phenomenon, influenced by hormones like oxytocin and neurotrophins. Still others see it as an activity that requires commitment, and the ability to communicate with the person you love in a healthy way.

For some, love is a feeling of comfort and safety with someone that makes them feel like they’re home. Being with that special person allows them to be their authentic self without fear of judgment or rejection. It’s a place where they can be happy and fulfilled. Being away from that person can cause distress and anxiety, causing them to long for them.

In addition to those feelings of security and safety, some people find love in acts of service. This love language focuses on showing appreciation for the other person by doing things for them that are meaningful and thoughtful. Whether it’s cooking them dinner or bringing medicine when they’re sick, it makes them feel loved and valued.

Lastly, some people find love in the desire to see the best in the person they love. They may not always agree with their actions or choices, but they stay committed because of their faith that the person will eventually turn their life around for the better. This can explain why parents or friends sometimes stay with a difficult person, even when they’re in destructive patterns of behavior.

Regardless of what you believe to be the definition of love, it’s important to include multiple points of view when writing an essay about it. The more angles you include, the more compelling your argument will be. You should also avoid overusing cliches and generalizations, and stick to factual information as much as possible. Incorporating personal anecdotes is fine, but ensure they support your broader argument and don’t detract from the credibility of your paper. If you’re unsure where to start, consider reading famous essays on the subject by authors such as Alain de Botton or bell hooks for inspiration and guidance. These writers are masters at conveying complex ideas and emotions in an accessible and engaging way. They can help you write an essay about love that’s both thought-provoking and memorable.