Another long-term effect of child abuse: Chronic fatigue syndrome

While child abuse may seem to physically affect children during the time of abuse, its negative emotional consequences are undeniably numerous and far-reaching. In fact, a recent study in Georgia showed that chronic fatigue syndrome is directly linked to child abuse and neglect. Aside from that, people with chronic fatigue syndrome also have low levels of the hormone cortisol.
Some of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include constant fatigue that does not go away even after a full rest, muscle pain, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes, depression, hypersensitivity, and a poor immune system. Women are more prone to men in developing chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cortisol suppresses the immune system, and so suppressed levels of this hormone activates the immune system more than what is needed. Moreover, chronic stress and trauma incurred from abuse further ramps up the immune system until it reaches the time when it cannot produce any more cortisol. This leads to chronic fatigue syndrome.