There are many people who feel that simply being tired all the time and chronic fatigue syndrome are synonymous, but that is not so. The clinical picture of this illness has definite features, and although each one who presents will have a unique history, there nevertheless are features in common with all. Definite steps are therefore taken to reach the diagnosis.

The onset of the illness is important and some vital clues arise from consideration of what the person was like before they became unwell and what were the events that surrounded this beginning.

There will be evidence of immunological dysfunction. It may be through suppression of the reactivity of the body, or there may be instances of immunological "over-activity" with the demonstration of heightened sensitivity or allergy, or the development of autoimmune illnesses, often demonstrated through joint pains or rashes.

Inevitably, in all, there will be neurological consequences. It will be features of this nature, which will largely be responsible for the clinical picture of CFS.

There is another step that need to be taken in order to know whether the individual has CFS.

Every illness has certain criteria to be meet that comprise the undeniable features that make up the clinical picture. Whilst work is being done at this time at a research level to identify a marker for CFS, there is at this time no test which can be used to diagnose this illness.
So the CDC Criteria is used as the standard for this conclusion to be reached. This includes a description of;

The time frame of the illness
The exclusion of certain illnesses which in themselves would be responsible for fatigue
The features in the individual's health that must be present.

Whist it is imperative for such a diagnosis to be reached that a medical examination be done to responsibly deal with all aspects of this conclusion, an idea can be reached when the history and symptoms that a person has is considered.

To help you in reaching this step a Questionnaire has been designed.