Conditions we help with

Brain fatigue, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia

These conditions overlap more than they differ. We look at the whole picture, and work alongside your GP and specialists, never instead of them.

Brain fatigue

When thinking itself is exhausting

Brain fatigue is a drop in mental stamina: the brain tires quickly and takes longer to recover. It often travels with the other conditions on this page.

Brain fatigue & brain fog

Slow, effortful thinking and a brain that runs out of fuel by mid-afternoon. Often linked to sleep, blood sugar, inflammation, hormones or the gut–brain axis.

Common signs

  • Losing words or your train of thought
  • Poor focus and short attention
  • Mental exhaustion after reading or screens
  • Needing quiet to recover

Fatigue after concussion

Mental and physical fatigue that lingers after a head injury, sometimes months later. The brain's energy demands rise while its stamina falls.

Common signs

  • Tiring quickly with mental effort
  • Headaches with concentration
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Poor sleep and irritability

Burnout & stress-related exhaustion

Long periods of pressure can leave the stress response stuck on, disrupting sleep, blood sugar and hormones until rest no longer restores energy.

Common signs

  • Wired but tired
  • Waking unrefreshed
  • Low motivation and flat mood
  • Getting ill whenever you stop

Chronic fatigue

Fatigue that doesn't recover with rest

When fatigue lasts for months, limits daily life and doesn't improve with rest, it needs a careful, whole-person approach.

ME/CFS

Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term condition where activity triggers a worsening of symptoms, often a day or two later. Diagnosis is made by your GP or a specialist.

Common signs

  • Crashes after physical or mental effort (post-exertional malaise)
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Brain fog and memory problems
  • Dizziness on standing

In line with NICE guidance, we never use graded exercise therapy. Activity advice is built around energy management and pacing.

Long COVID & post-viral fatigue

Ongoing symptoms after COVID-19 or another infection. Fatigue is the most common, often with brain fog, breathlessness and muscle aches.

Common signs

  • Fatigue that started with an infection
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Muscle aches and poor stamina
  • Symptoms that flare after effort

Hormonal & thyroid fatigue

Thyroid, adrenal and sex-hormone changes, including perimenopause and menopause, can drain energy and focus even when standard results look "normal".

Common signs

  • Feeling cold, sluggish or puffy
  • Afternoon energy crashes
  • Poor sleep and night waking
  • Low mood and brain fog

Fibromyalgia

Pain, fatigue and a sensitised nervous system

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and fatigue, with a nervous system that amplifies pain signals. It often overlaps with ME/CFS, poor sleep and gut problems.

Fibromyalgia

Long-term widespread pain with fatigue, poor sleep and brain fog ("fibro fog"). Diagnosed by your GP or a rheumatologist; there is no single test.

Common signs

  • Pain in many areas of the body
  • Tender, stiff muscles
  • Exhaustion and unrefreshing sleep
  • Fibro fog and poor concentration

Fatigue in neurological conditions

Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of conditions such as MS and Parkinson's. We support energy, sleep and brain health alongside your neurology team.

Common signs

  • Fatigue out of proportion to activity
  • Heat or effort making symptoms worse
  • Poor sleep
  • Slowed thinking

New weakness, numbness or changes in vision should be checked by your GP promptly.

How common is it?

Common, but too often dismissed

404,000

people in the UK are estimated to have ME/CFS, 62% more than previously thought1

2.5 million

people in the UK live with fibromyalgia2

1.9 million

people in the UK reported long COVID symptoms in 20233

Sources: 1. Samms & Ponting, BMC Public Health (2025), DecodeME. 2. PACFiND study, University of Aberdeen. 3. Office for National Statistics, March 2023.

Not sure where to start?

The Brain Performance Analysis takes about 12 minutes online and scores eight areas, from mental stamina to sleep. Your £12 is refunded in full when you book a Discovery Consultation.

Start the Brain Performance Analysis

Recognise your own pattern?

A consultation starts with your full story before any testing is suggested.

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