For a patient to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, specific criteria must be present. They include:
- The individual must have symptoms ongoing for at least six months
- Other health conditions as the reason for the fatigue must have been excluded
- The fatigue must significantly interfere with daily activities and work
There are other common symptoms associated with chronic fatigue that are not considered when diagnosing chronic fatigue. These symptoms include, but may not be limited to abdominal pain, alcohol intolerance, bloating, chest pain, chronic cough, diarrhea, dizziness, dry eyes or mouth, earaches, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, morning stiffness, nausea, night sweats, psychological problems, depression, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, shortness of breath, tingling sensations, and weight loss.
In addition, the individual must simultaneously have four or more of the following nine chronic fatigue symptoms, and the symptoms must not have begun before the onset of the condition:
- Muscle pain
- Unrefreshing sleep
- A chronic sore throat
- Flu-like symptoms following activity
- Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
- Pain in joints without swelling or redness
- Reduction in short-term memory or concentration
- Headaches not common to that individual (e.g., severity, type, pattern)
- Malaise lasting more than 24 hours after slight exertion
