If you’re looking for a job, it may be tempting to describe yourself using superlatives like “amazing,” “genius” or “marketing ninja.” But in a professional setting, such words can backfire. They might make you seem arrogant or out of touch. Instead, focus on conveying how your skills and experience will be valuable to a potential employer.
The medical community does not have a test to confirm ME, and as many as 90 percent of people with the illness struggle for years to get a correct diagnosis. Even once diagnosed, ME is a difficult illness to live with. Many adults with ME are unable to work full or part time and children may be too unwell to attend school. Some are bedbound or housebound, and the most severely affected need around-the-clock care.
Most people who suffer from ME have to change their lives in some way – for example, they may need to give up a career, retire early or stop going out with friends. The illness can also impact relationships and family life, and cause financial stress.
While there is no cure for ME, some symptoms can be managed, and a small number of patients recover completely or improve significantly over time. Doctors who specialize in ME suggest that some patients benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medication to help with sleep problems and pain, and energy management strategies such as “pacing” (matching activity levels to their limited amount of available energy).
Research continues into the causes of ME, and scientists are now focusing on gene studies and brain imaging. The hope is that this work will lead to better treatment, and eventually a cure for the condition.
The NHS needs to improve the care it provides for ME sufferers, according to an inquest into the death of Maeve Boothby O’Neill. She had myalgic encephalomyelitis, which is more commonly known as ME or CFS. Boothby O’Neill’s inquest, held in October 2021, found that she died as a result of poor NHS care and inadequate medication.
ME is an illness that can be as disabling as other chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and congestive heart failure. Many people with ME are at risk of depression, which can be made worse by the chronic nature of their symptoms.
If you have ME, your GP can help by listening to your concerns and supporting you. They can provide information about ME, including fact sheets, and recommend support groups or organisations such as Emerge Australia or the healthdirect phone line (1800 865 321). They can also refer you to a specialist nurse who is trained in managing complex chronic illnesses, or to an ME/CFS patient navigator.