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.