When someone does ask that pitiful question, take heart in the fact that as you get better, you won't have to endure what are, at best, pitiful attempts at communication and, at worst, careless insults. As your health returns, you won't have to endure such conversations again (except when talking about your past).
But right now, that moment, tell your inquirer, "No. I doubt that you have CFS if you're only tired. The illness is much more than that."
You may or may not feel any obligation to explain further, but at that point, you may be too tired to educate the person anyway. It is an emotional drain to feel as if you have to justify being sick. It may be best to go somewhere, sit down and try to dismiss the incident. Take the opportunity to calm yourself and re-group physically, mentally and emotionally.
Best Advice: Hang in there and be patient with the souls who really need to read more about illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. They probably won't do it unless she (or he) or a loved one comes down with symptoms. Then if they want help, hand them some material or send them to an internet resource like the Health Matters Show.
Either way, you do not have to spend your time and energy educating a world that may or may not be ready to listen. Now... if the person really, really wants help, then go for it!
Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show
