Why ME/CFS Isn’t Just Tiredness: A Psychologist Breaks It Down

ME/CFS isn’t just tiredness, it’s a life-changing, often misunderstood neurological condition that impacts everything from mobility and cognition to emotional wellbeing. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr Beth Godwin shares her powerful lived experience with ME/CFS, including how it affected her career, identity, and day-to-day life. We discuss spoon theory, post-exertional malaise, pacing, and how to offer meaningful support to those living with chronic fatigue. Whether you’re a psychologist, aspiring psych, or someone navigating illness yourself, this episode is an honest, compassionate guide to understanding ME/CFS better. #chronicfatiguesyndrome #MECFS #PostViralFatigue #MentalHealthPodcast Whether you’re a psychologist, aspiring professional, friend, or someone navigating chronic illness, this episode is a must-listen. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – What is ME/CFS and what does it affect? 04:16 – Long COVID vs ME stigma 06:47 – Identity loss and emotional grief 08:14 – Perfectionism, pressure, and post-viral burnout 13:57 – What a bad day with ME/CFS might look like 17:20 – The emotional toll of having to cancel plans 19:55 – How to support someone living with ME/CFS 22:46 – Can aspiring psychologists train with this condition? 24:44 – Spoon theory and pacing explained 30:49 – What not to do: graded exercise therapy 33:18 – Life after diagnosis: how Beth reshaped her career 36:17 – Free resources and where to follow Beth Links: 📚Grab your free Diet Culture Guide: https://lifeforeverybody.co.uk/dietcultureguide & Connect with Dr Beth here: 📲 https://www.facebook.com/share/1ByzRm4Rxp/?mibextid=wwXIfr https://www.instagram.com/life_for_every_body?igsh=MXFhOGx1a3A3bXlsdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-beth-godwin-155562175?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app 🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support 📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0 📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97 💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested 🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses ✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision 📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent 💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved: If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/podcast and click the blue request info button at the top of the page. Mentioned in this episode: Sponsored by WriteUpp Tap to Pay This episode is sponsored by WriteUpp. Their Tap to Pay app turns your smartphone into a card reader, helping private practitioners take secure payments without additional hardware. Use code MARIANNE30 for a free 30-day trial and 30% off your first 6 months at this link: https://writeupp.com/?refid=142336