Hypothesis Modulation of autonomic regulatory processes in ME/CFS within psychotherapy, 2026, Hartlieb

[night_and_day]

Zur Modulation autonomer Regulationsprozesse bei ME/CFS innerhalb der Psychotherapie​

Marie-Christine Hartlieb
Modulation of autonomic regulatory processes in ME/CFS within psychotherapy
Abstract: This article deepens and expands existing psychotherapeutic approaches to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The focus is on interventions that aim to modulate the recovery dynamics of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) after stress stimuli. Autonomic dysfunctions are a common feature of ME/CFS. Studies show not only increased orthostatic symptoms and significant changes in cardiovascular parameters compared to control groups, but also autonomic dysfunctions in various organ systems. In addition, reduced parasympathetic reactivity after stress has been demonstrated.

Since classic psychotherapeutic approaches, which primarily interpret ME/CFS as a psychosocial stress reaction, have been experienced as stressful by many affected individuals, adjustments are required that take pathophysiological exercise intolerance into account. The author has already outlined some initial approaches to this in an earlier publication. In view of the current state of research, the author focuses on the prolonged autonomic readjustment phase after exertion, which may contribute to the persistence of fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM).

PEM is defined as a systemic worsening of symptoms after exertion, which often occurs with a temporal delay. Psychotherapeutic interventions for reducing sympathetic activity are proposed. It is possible that specific psychotherapeutic support in regulating the ANS could help to improve recovery processes after exertion and after PEM. The therapeutic goal shifts from improving performance to improving parasympathetic regeneration capacity. So far, there are no empirical studies on such a psychotherapeutic approach to ME/CFS.

Web | Doi | Zeitschrift Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, Zürich, Schweiz | open access

 

[BrightCandle]

So far, there are no empirical studies on such a psychotherapeutic approach to ME/CFS.

No there are actually hundreds of such studies and none of them have shown any benefit at all. None of this works on fatigue and certainly not on PEM.

 

[hotblack]

How does modulating the recovery dynamics of biological systems through psychotherapy go for other biological diseases?

I wish people would stop with this stuff. It doesn’t help people with ME/CFS and it doesn’t help the reputation of psychotherapy. Rather it harms both.

 

[hotblack]

Since classic psychotherapeutic approaches, which primarily interpret ME/CFS as a psychosocial stress reaction, have been experienced as stressful by many affected individuals, adjustments are required that take pathophysiological exercise intolerance into account

The problem is not that patients find psychotherapeutic practices stressful. It’s that they do not work for ME/CFS and are not appropriate for ME/CFS. They have been tried. They have not worked in the way proposed here. This theory and branch of thought is an ex parrot. It is not resting or pining for the fjords. It is dead.

Tbh this is worse than the music therapy idea. At least most of us like listening to music and gain pleasure from it (if we are lucky enough to be able to tolerate noise). I’m not sure anyone likes or gains pleasure from psychotherapy even if they find it useful in other circumstances.

This thread has good discussion and people in the British Psychological Society who are working hard, listening to people with ME/CFS and taking a sensible approach. The author of this hypothesis could learn a lot from them

Thread 'UK: British Psychological Society survey on their planned new guidance on ME/CFS, deadline 9th October 2024'

Aug 30, 2024

Post copied from MEA news.

From the MEA's latest newsletter:

We are looking for people with ME/CFS and their carers to give their opinions about creating some new ME/CFS good practice guidelines for psychologists. These guidelines are being produced by the British Psychological Society (BPS) with the help of Action for ME and the ME Association.

While ME/CFS is not a psychological condition, many people with ME/CFS see a psychologist to help them learn how best to live with the condition or for other reasons unrelated to ME/CFS. We wish to ensure that these people receive the...

• Nightsong
• british psychological society guidelines me/cfs survey
• Replies: 62
• Forum: General ME/CFS news

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[Turtle]

Psychotherapy in a schizofrenic way.
On the one hand using biological findings and still holding on to the Sharpe idea; it's all just stress.
Forget Sharpe, he is just very old debunked news.

Physical stress: yes, but psychotherapist stay away unless invited.
We're none of your business.

 

[Axel]

Body awareness "The aim is: ‘I recognise the signs of stress as soon as they appear and lie down straight away.’ Or: ‘If my heart starts racing, I stop what I’m doing and breathe calmly.’"

No, we’re already lying down and we’ve stopped. We can’t stop any more than that. (Well, once we’ve completely stopped, we can try turning stressful thoughts into pretty goldfish, but when we’re asleep and the symptoms wake us up, it’s hopeless).

"Music therapy". Well, you could listen to Purcell's "music for a while' sung by Alfred Deller for a whole year straight: nor para- and sympathetic nervous system don’t care. Honestly, they really can’t care less.