# Symptoms of ME/CFS - Author: **Center for Disease Control and Prevention** - Document Tags: [[chronic fatigue syndrome]], [[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]] - [URL link](https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms.html)  ## Highlights - three primary symptoms are required for diagnosis ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dn5tn2e78xd2cw92j492v)) --- - Greatly lowered ability to do activities ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdhqbhn0enq1tbnrb18g5t23)) --- - must last six months ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdhqbrp0yrr8a40nh60vpmz8)) --- - As examples: • Attending a child’s school event may leave someone house-bound for a couple of days and not able to do needed tasks, like laundry. • Shopping at the grocery store may cause a physical crash that requires a nap in the car before driving home or a call for a ride home. • Taking a shower may leave someone with ME/CFS bed-bound and unable to do anything for days. • Keeping up with work may lead to spending evenings and weekends recovering from the effort. - Note: these ARE extreme ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dp6mbx40fxrh36qvasf5j)) --- - Worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after physical or mental activity that would not have caused a problem before illness. This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hdhqcj4e1ywhfqpv30kj172h)) --- - Sleep problems. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dngy0me75cgbv3krj6vm5)) --- - In addition to these core symptoms, one of the following two symptoms is required for diagnosis: ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dq2bb7h4f9z35d434459w)) --- - Problems with thinking and memory. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dq6akpsqm57y55k5q6gtn)) --- - Worsening of symptoms while standing or sitting upright. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hj9dqdmgy63fgpqrfx62yejp)) ---