Chronic fatigue syndrome may have a post-viral infection origin
Physician here. Imo CFS is best understood as the endpoint of an evolution within the nervous system that is increasingly called &quot;central sensitization syndrome.&quot;  (CSS) This syndrome is caused by a chronic dissociative or avoidant stress response, usually having it&#x27;s origin in early childhood adversity. Prior to developing CFS, most individuals have other manifestations of CSS, such as IBS, chronic pain, TMD, etc. Every new stress, be it a viral syndrome, a grief event, a difficult move of house, what-have-you, can cause CSS to further evolve, eventually arriving at CFS. The average CFSer has 5 other CSS syndromes. Treatment is pacing and mindfulness. This treats the underlying issue of chronic avoidance&#x2F;dissociation. See cfsselfhelp.org.