1. Take an Antidepressant
Many doctors have reported success in treating patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to improve the amount and quality of sleep in many chronic fatigue syndrome patients. When sleep is improved, a person's overall levels of energy also improve. Antidepressants of the serotonin re-uptake inhibitor class are more stimulating and have demonstrated an ability to improve the energy levels of chronic fatigue syndrome patients when given at low doses.
2. Make Some Lifestyle Changes
Making changes in your lifestyle to encourage rest, promote energy and improve levels of comfort can help you cope with chronic fatigue syndrome. There are lots of small changes you can make that could mean a big difference in how you feel. For example, if you are having trouble sleeping, make your bedroom more conducive to sleep by putting dark shades on the windows, keeping the temperature of the room suitably cool and wearing a sleep mask. If loud noises bother you, get a pair of earplugs, and if bright lights bother you, wear sunglasses, even indoors. You can also help yourself by making a week's worth of meals in advance on a day when you're feeling good, then freezing them for days when you're too tired to cook.
3. Write Things Down So You Remember Them
The tiredness that comes with chronic fatigue syndrome can make it very difficult to concentrate, and your memory can also be affected. Help keep yourself on track by writing down things that you need to do as soon as you think of them. Keep a pad and pen handy at all times to capture important thoughts as they come to you, so you don't forget them later. Alternately, you could also use a hand-held voice recorder for this purpose. Review your list several times a day, adding to it as necessary, so you can make sure you're keeping up with what you need to do.
