Living with a chronic illness like ME/CFS is difficult at best. The physical distress and hormonal imbalances coupled with drastic lifestyle changes can easily result in depression and anxiety. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication and/or refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can help you learn to cope with all the changes.
If your insurance doesn’t cover mental health treatment and you cannot afford it, check with your local mental health center. They usually offer treatment on a sliding scale based on your income.
Many ME/CFS patients find that support groups offer them the encouragement and support they need. Search for a support group in your area in
ProHealth’s Support Group Listing. If you don’t find a group there, try calling local hospitals and your local newspaper to see if they know of any groups in your area.
If you’re not able to physically attend a support group, there are lots of online groups available. In fact, you can start interacting with other ME/CFS patients right now in ProHealth’s
ME/CFS Chat Room or
ME/CFS Message Board.
