CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME & FIBROMYALGIA SELF HELP COURSE – TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ILLNESS
ME/CFS ACT regularly runs a course which is designed to help you better understand the illnesses and to give you the strategies to manage your health more effectively. The Self Help Course is an eight week program with a two hour session per week.
Places are limited and fees apply. Bookings are essential. This course can be attended face to face in Bruce or Pearce, or via video link on ‘Zoom’.
LIVES REGAINED – MAKING THE MOST OF LIVING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS
ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are debilitating conditions which can manifest without an identifiable cause. In many cases, people never recover and have to live with the condition for the rest of their lives. The Self Help Course offers vital skills and perspectives on maximising quality of life despite illness.
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
The Self Help Course is designed to help all people with ME/CFS and FMS, whether they have been recently diagnosed or have been ill for a number of years, or whether they are mildly or severely affected. Adults of any age can benefit. The Self Help Course offers practical and well tested ways of coping with the problems of chronic illness. Far from just providing information, it will help you develop your abilities and confidence in managing your illness.
Throughout the program participants learn practical strategies for coping with common problems of ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.
In the words of participants:
‘The Self Help Course has been a great help in teaching me the importance of learning to say NO to activities that I know are beyond my energy limits, and giving myself permission to rest to conserve energy for the most important things in life.’ K.C.
‘Fantastic! Useful tools, encouraging leaders. I can now mange my illness – not be a victim anymore.’ J.A. (now working part time)
‘Relating to others who understand that you can look reasonably well but actually be feeling the opposite and discussing the grief and loss aspects have been very helpful.’ T.P.
‘I found the course very helpful and extremely useful. The content was excellent and everyone participated.’ J. S. (now working full time)
‘I can now return home to start my ‘new life’, knowing now that so much more can be done; it just has to be done in a different way.’ N.B.
HOW DOES THE COURSE WORK?
Sharing experiences and ideas in a small group setting, you will develop your own individualised self management program. Using the tools provided by the Self Help Course and the support of the group you will learn how to:
• pace yourself to control the ‘chronic illness roller coaster’
• set realistic short term goals
• reduce stress
• manage emotions
• improve relationships
• minimise relapses
• develop your own self management program
An important aspect of the course is learning from each other by emphasising constructive, solution oriented discussions in a supportive setting.
The Self Help Course is based on Dr Bruce Campbell’s book Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Seven-Part Plan.
COST
$80 – you must be a member of Build a Better Me: Arthritis, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT to attend.
The cost includes all eight sessions and the book, Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Seven-Part Plan.
The course is held at either the Pearce Community Centre, Pearce or Arthritis ACT, Building 18, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce.
SELF HELP BOOK
If you can’t attend the Self Help Course but would still like a copy of Dr Bruce Campbell’s book, Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Seven-Part Plan, a limited number of books are available for purchase at the low price of $20 for personal shoppers. If you would like the book posted to you within Australia, please add $10 p&p.
MORE INFORMATION
Click here for more information, background and personal experiences.