Trauma

Childhood trauma
A study suggesting a role for childhood trauma in ME/CFS used the broad empirical definition of ME/CFS, which resulted in a biased sample with over representation of individuals with depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Heim et al., 2009). The unusually high proportion of subjects with serious psychiatric problems likely explains the study finding of an association between ME/CFS and adverse childhood experiences.

No other studies have suggested a higher rate of childhood trauma in those with confirmed ME/CFS as opposed to nonspecific chronic fatigue (CF). In a study of 22 Norwegian adolescents with ME/CFS, no participant reported prior sexual abuse (Gjone and Wyller, 2009).

Child abuse and chronic fatigue
Taylor & Jason (2001) investigated possible links between different types of child abuse and CF in general, finding that a history of child sexual abuse was "significantly more likely" in people who had with idiopathic chronic fatigue (chronic fatigue which has no known cause and is not chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)), or chronic fatigue linked to a mental health condition, or chronic fatigue resulting from a known medical condition. Taylor & Jason concluded that CFS did not have a significant link with any firm of child abuse history.

Adult trauma and stress
Physical trauma (for example, accident or injury) and overwhelming emotional stress are known triggers reported in a proportion of people who develop myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, but these are significantly less common than developing the illness after a virus. A number of risk factors have also been identified, including a genetic link.

Notable studies
2001, Sexual abuse, physical abuse, chronic fatigue, and chronic fatigue syndrome: a community-based study (Abstract)

Talks, interviews and blogs

 * 2009, Chronic fatigue syndrome & child abuse: Disordered patients or disordered research?