Pamela Rose: Should I change my job title to “Fatigue Detective”?

I sometimes joke with my clients that perhaps I should change my job title. Instead of “Fatigue Coach”, maybe I should start calling myself a Fatigue Detective.

Because that’s often what our work together feels like.

When someone first comes to me, they’re usually feeling confused, frightened, and frustrated — sometimes all three at once. They may have a diagnosis such as ME/CFS or Long Covid, or they may simply know that something isn’t right and feel utterly unlike themselves. What they understandably want is a clear answer. A neat explanation. A straightforward plan that will fix things.

But fatigue rarely works like that.

Instead, we begin by looking for clues.

One of the first areas we explore is patterns. When do symptoms flare? Is there a time delay between activity and feeling worse? Does a crash tend to follow physical exertion, cognitive effort, emotional stress — or a mixture of all three? Many people initially feel as though their body is behaving unpredictably. But when we slow things down and observe carefully, patterns almost always begin to emerge. And once you can see a pattern, you are no longer quite so powerless.

We also look closely at someone’s current baseline — not what they used to manage, and not what they wish they could manage, but what their system can comfortably tolerate right now. This can feel confronting at first. However, identifying a true baseline is not about limitation. It is about creating stability. And stability is the foundation from which improvement can gradually grow.

Another important clue is emotional load. Fatigue is never purely physical. Worry, fear, frustration, grief, and the pressure to get back to “normal” all place additional strain on an already sensitive system. Part of my role is gently helping someone notice where they might be tightening the screws on themselves without realising it. This isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about reducing unnecessary pressure so the body has a better chance to settle.

We also distinguish between what is genuinely helpful and what is simply exciting. There is so much information available — treatments, supplements, protocols, devices. It can feel like if you’re not trying something new, you’re standing still. Yet time and again, the most meaningful shifts come from the quieter foundations: consistent pacing, resting properly, improving sleep rhythms, reducing boom-bust cycles, and managing mindset. These approaches are not glamorous, but they are powerful. And once they are steadier, other interventions are far more likely to land well.

The important thing about detective work is that we are not looking for something to blame. We are looking for something to learn from. If someone experiences Post Exertional Malaise, that is not failure — it is information. If they have a surprisingly good week, that is information too. If they feel flat after a busy social event, that is also a clue. When symptoms become data rather than enemies, something shifts. Curiosity begins to replace fear. And curiosity is a much steadier place to operate from.

Unlike a detective drama, there is rarely one dramatic reveal or single culprit in fatigue recovery. It is more often about small adjustments, subtle recalibrations, and refining someone’s personal blend of approaches. It is patient work. But it is effective work.

Before you finish reading this, let me ask you something.

Have there been any clues today? Or this week?

Was there a moment where you felt slightly better than usual? Or slightly worse? Did something feel easier than you expected — or harder? Did you sleep differently? Eat differently? Push a little more than usual? Rest a little less?

Rather than judging those moments, could you simply get curious about them?

If you were playing “fatigue detective” for a few minutes, what might you notice?

You don’t need to solve the whole puzzle in one go. But each small observation builds awareness. And awareness builds stability. And stability creates the conditions for improvement.

So yes, perhaps there is something in the idea of being a Fatigue Detective.

But in truth, my clients are detectives too. My role is simply to help them notice the clues more clearly, interpret them more calmly, and use them to move gently back towards better health.

Take care,

Pamela Rose

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed trying to piece this together alone, the Pamela Rose Four Week Fatigue Rescue Programme offers a calm, structured space to help you make sense of your own patterns and build a steadier foundation. The next intake starts on 19th March, and it’s often the most helpful starting point for people who want clarity, guidance and reassurance. You can find out more here if it feels like the right time.

A magnifying glass rests on a turquoise surface beside a notebook with the word "fatigue" written on it, suggesting a closer examination of tiredness and exhaustion.