Differences Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression

Because major depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have significant concurrence (26 percent), clinicians often find it difficult to differentiate between the disorders when evaluating . . .

Because major depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have significant concurrence (26 percent), clinicians often find it difficult to differentiate between the disorders when evaluating patients. To examine the differences in the thinking of patients with these conditions, researchers compared the cognition of 14 patients with CFS and major depression or dysthymia, 39 patients with CFS only, 20 patients with major depression only, and 38 healthy controls. Standardized interviews and self-report measures were used for diagnoses; mailed-in questionnaires assessed self-esteem, illness attributions, cognitive distortions, and coping by limiting stress and activity.

Compared with controls and the CFS-only group, the 2 depressed groups show…

Reviewing Author

G Tucker