[exDemMom]

“The precise nature and extent of the involvement of the (autonomic nervous system) in CFS is not yet determined, however, increasing evidence suggests chronic sympathetic hyper-arousal [increased resting HR and reduced HRV] in patients with CFS that persists even during sleep.”

Hold-outs for the “its all in the mind” (big fakers, big whiners) theory of ME/CFS will be hard-pressed to explain how “chronic sympathetic hyper-arousal...persists even during sleep,” but old prejudices die hard for some.

But... Doesn't this study show strong evidence that it *is* all in the mind? It's all that nervous system involvement, you know.

[Seizethecarp]

“But... Doesn’t this study show strong evidence that it *is* all in the mind?”

Insufficient blood flow to the brain caused by failure of the brain, heard and autonomic nervous system to regulate blood pressure when the body and/or brain are subjected to a stressor. For those with severe CFS, going from a supine to sitting or standing posture is sufficient to cause loss of blood to the brain in a relatively short time. This has nothing to do with lack of sleep as a primary cause.