Fight or Flight

In my previous post I mentioned the many forms of trigger for CFS/ME that once pulled put the sufferer into a state of ‘fight or flight’ i.e. sympathetic nervous system in control, but why?

When our minds perceive a threat, the sympathetic nervous system takes over, instantly putting our body into high alert and adrenaline is pumped to all key parts of the body. Our heart beats faster, our senses become super focused and our short duration muscles are primed for action – ready to ‘fight’ or take ‘flight’ to a safer place. The reaction is instinctive, in-built in the DNA passed down from our prime-evil ancestors as a necessary survival skill.

We all feel threatened from time to time but usually the perceived threat passes after a short time and our normal parasympathetic nervous (rest and digest) system takes over again. But if the perceived threat persists, then we can remain in the fight or flight state.

In this longer-term ‘sympathetic nervous system in control’ state our sensory systems can become overloaded, with the consequence that our brains have to ‘consciously’ process and assess each input which can absorb considerably more energy than the estimated 20% it would normally use. This extra energy requirement has to come from somewhere else in the body i.e. a non-vital function. Under normal circumstances most of the sensory system inputs are perceived a low level importance, even ‘white noise’, and therefore managed more efficiently.  

In the intricate tapestry of symptoms that define CFS/ME, sensory sensitivity often emerges as a lesser known yet profoundly impacting aspect of the condition. From heightened touch sensation, greater awareness of muscle and joint pain, sensitivity to light and noise, even to aversion to certain odors. These sensory sensitivities can exacerbate symptoms and significantly impact daily life for individuals living with CFS/ME.

Imagine stepping outside on a bright sunny day only to be met with an overwhelming glare that leaves you squinting and recoiling. For individuals with CFS/ME, this scenario may be all too familiar. Sensory sensitivity reflects the intricate interplay between the nervous system, immune dysfunction, and sensory processing.

The consequences of sensory sensitivity extend far beyond momentary discomfort, impacting virtually every aspect of daily life. Individuals with CFS/ME may find themselves navigating a world that feels overly stimulating and overwhelming, where even the simplest sensory stimuli can trigger symptoms and exacerbate feelings of fatigue, cognitive or brain fog, and physical discomfort. The unpredictability of sensory flare-ups can also disrupt plans and routines, exacerbating feelings of frustration, anxiety, and isolation.

The mind-body connection is powerful and complex, and for me extremely fascinating, having read a number of publications on the subject. The subconscious mind will force us to take a break if we don’t make that conscious decision. For example, how often have you been working really hard for days, weeks or even months, using almost every hour of the day to get a task or project finished, eventually rewarding yourself with a much needed holiday. Then, a day or so into the holiday, as your start to feel more relaxed, you come down with a cold or stomach upset? This is the subconscious mind taking control, deciding that now is the time that we can deal with the issue.

Often CFS/ME sufferers are classified as ‘achiever types’, determined and always striving for better, often pushing through despite feeling a little under the weather - some might say obsessively driven. If you are a CFS/ME sufferer I expect that is how others might describe you – am I wrong?

This can indeed be a very positive trait that has yielded much success in the past, but it may also be the curse of the CFS/ME sufferer. Not only has this trait probably ‘driven’ you to this position but it is also probably your greatest obstacle to recovery, second only to understanding and accepting your condition. Because, without a good understanding of this condition you have probably done what I have for many years and just pushed through, trying to ignore the pain and discomfort, refusing to give in and take a break. Yet, that is exactly what I needed to do.

If we keep pushing and do not make the conscious decision to take a break, then eventually the subconscious mind will act. This is exactly what happens with CFS/ME, the condition persisting and evolving over time to incorporate additional symptoms, for as long as the subconscious mind perceives a threat.