What are some of the myths about CFS?

CFS is a 'Yuppie Flu'
This name implied that CFS affected only young, upwardly-mobile professional people (yuppies) who couldn't handle the stress of their daily lives, and who used CFS as an excuse to opt out of the 'rat-race'. Essentially, it implied that they were malingerers, since no-one really believed that a disease specifically affected 'yuppies'. Studies have demonstrated that CFS affects people of all socioeconomic categories, and does not disproportionately affect people from any one socioeconomic group.

CFS is a form of depression
In the last few years, some psychiatrists and others have promoted the belief that CFS is a form of depression which causes symptoms in the body ('somatised' depression). However, extensive testing, including studies of immune function, hormones, brain chemicals, memory and concentration, brain blood flow and sleeping difficulties indicates, without exception, that CFS is different from depression.

Furthermore, based on the epidemiological study conducted in NSW, only 29% of people with CFS suffer from depression at any one time. Characteristics of major depression, such as feelings of guilt, loss of pleasure in life, etc. are not present in CFS. In addition, children and adolescents represent a higher percentage of patients in CFS than in depression.

CFS mainly affects 'high achievers'
CFS does not single out high achievers. It affects people of all levels of achievement, of all socioeconomic groups, and of all ages (although most commonly people under age 45). Some high-level athletes do get CFS. This may be because strenuous exercise can be a co-factor in triggering CFS. This co-factor is not related to athletic ability.

CFS is a form of stress or 'burnout'
Stress in its broadest medical sense can be a co-factor in triggering CFS. This 'stress' on the body may be strenuous physical exercise, psychological stress, chemical exposure, etc. However, many people in the community experience one or more of these co-factors in conjunction with a viral infection, yet do not develop CFS. This is why researchers are investigating whether people with CFS have a genetic pre-disposition to developing the illness, or whether some viruses can evade the body's defences and cause ill-health. Stress is not responsible for the symptoms of CFS; it does not cause CFS. When someone has CFS, removal of any stress does not remove the illness, although it may help with management. CFS is not some form of 'burnout'.

A recent study followed a group of patients with glandular fever for six months from the time they became ill. It was found that social adversity in the six months prior to illness onset was not associated with the subsequent development of CFS (diagnosed six months after illness onset in those who remained unwell).

CFS is a 20th Century disease
This is not true. An illness with symptoms similar to CFS has been reported as far back as 1750. We do not know if more people have CFS now than in the past, since it is only recently that studies have looked at the prevalence and incidence of CFS. We do know that there is now greater awareness of CFS, and this is leading to more frequent diagnosis of the illness. Even so, some researchers believe that the incidence of CFS has increased significantly in the last 15 years.

Everyone recovers from CFS eventually
There are as yet few published studies which have looked at the natural history of CFS. Researchers around the world generally agree that most people improve over time, and few get progressively worse. However, based on published studies, the percentage of people who regain their pre-illness level of health appears to be small. It is believed that the chances of complete recovery diminish the longer the illness lasts. Indeed, there are many people whose condition has improved over the years, but who still suffer permanently from some symptoms of CFS. Studies published in international medical journals have included people who have had CFS for 20 or 30 years.