The question, “Tell me about yourself,” can show up in many places: job interviews (especially the first one), resumes, college applications and LinkedIn profiles. Whether it is asked verbally or written down, it’s an important question that asks you to describe your positive characteristics in a few words. The answer to this question should help the interviewer understand why you are a good fit for the job. The word choice you make also has other implications — it can set the tone for the entire interview and affect how your abilities are perceived.
ME/CFS is a long-lasting, debilitating illness that makes it hard to keep a job or go to school, and to take part in family and social life. It’s more common in women than men and is more likely to occur in people of middle age, although it can affect anyone, including kids and teens. It can also be difficult to diagnose because there is no single test and the symptoms are not understood by most healthcare professionals.
A person with ME/CFS has persistent, debilitating fatigue that does not improve with rest and is not explained by any other medical condition. It can be made worse by mental, physical or emotional activity, and it does not respond to usual treatments. Other symptoms include tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, memory and thinking problems, trouble concentrating, a sore throat or headache, and sleep disturbances like difficulty staying asleep or sleeping during the day.
Researchers are still investigating the causes of ME/CFS. It appears to be triggered by certain infections, particularly herpesviruses and enteroviruses. Some people develop ME after recovering from long COVID-19 infection.
While there is no cure for ME/CFS, there are interventions and symptom-reduction strategies that can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. Research is ongoing to identify and validate new treatment approaches.
It’s also important to recognize that there are groups of people who may be at higher risk for developing ME/CFS, such as children and teenagers, people with low socioeconomic status or racial minorities. It’s important to be aware of these factors and to seek care from a doctor who understands the challenges and is prepared to work with these patients.
A doctor who knows how to help a patient cope with ME/CFS can improve their quality of life, reduce the severity and frequency of flare-ups, and increase the chances of remission. They can provide education, counseling, coping skills and practical advice. In addition, they can refer patients to support services and other resources that can help them cope with the illness. In some cases, they can even help patients return to work and other activities.