Vulnerability to CFS may be associated with a subtle immune system defect. It also appears likely, however, that CFS involves interactions between the immune and central nervous systems, interactions about which relatively little is now known. Scientists' concerted efforts to penetrate the complex neuroimmunologic events in CFS have created a challenging new concept of the pathology of this and other illnesses. Fibromyalgia seems to overlap with chronic fatigue, but persons with this disorder also have sleep disturbance and chronic pain. The disorder is usually diagnosed by tender points in certain muscles which respond with pain when touched a certain way.
Sleep disturbance is common in chronic fatigue and in fibromyalgia.
A disruption in this stage of sleep may contribute these conditions. Carol Eustice, the Arthritis Guide has more information on this disorder and Lisa Lorden also has fibromyalgia links on her chronic fatigue site. Autoimmune Disorders involve the immune system attacking the body rather than attacking germs and other invaders from the outside. These disorders almost always involve a complex symptom picture which can include depression. They aren't nearly as common as depression, but they can cause similar symptoms.