Victorian ME/CFS Society Severity Scale

From a handout of the ME/CFS Society of Victoria.
Copyright © of the ME/CFS Society of Victoria, 2001. Used with permission.

I think this CFS/ME severity scale is totally screwed because for literally years I have been sicker than their "sickest" mark on this scale! Talk about ignoring the sickest of the bunch!

1. (Severe) I am in bed all day. Getting up for more than 10 minutes makes me feel awful. My symptoms are incapacitating. I don't leave the house except for trips to the doctor.
2. (Severe) I can get up for almost an hour but I still can't move around much. I don't leave the house except for medical appointments and emergencies. I need help for household chores. I am always sick.
3. (Severe) I have a "Window" of time, maybe 2-3 hours, when I don't feel too bad, but I usually have to rest during that time. If I do too much, I have a relapse. I can do some light housekeeping chores. Symptoms are always with me, although sometimes they lighten up.
4. (Severe-Moderate) I can get up for 2-3 hours at a stretch but I absolutely must rest for as much time as I am up. I can prepare simple meals and do light housekeeping. I can drive short distances but prefer to have others do the driving. I can cope with my symptoms.
5. (Moderate) I can get through the day but need a long rest or nap. I can do nearly all my household chores. Symptoms are tolerable, although with relapses they can sometimes become severe. I can get out during the day to run errands or visit with friends if I rest afterwards.
6. (Moderate) If I take short, recuperative rests, I can get through the day. Sometimes I need to nap. By dinnertime, I am often quite tired and I need to get to bed by 9:00pm. I can drive short distances. I can work a little at home. Sometimes symptoms seem to vanish altogether for short periods of time.
7. (Moderate-Mild) I can get through the day without needing a rest, but need more sleep than I used to. I can work part-time on a flexible schedule, allowing for relapses. I have longer periods of feeling almost normal.
8. (Mild) I can get through the day with no problem, provided I don't skimp on sleep or overdo it. I can work full-time, although I don't have much energy for anything else. Relapses are usually short and, with a little rest, I recover well.
9. (Mild) My stamina is much improved. I can hold a full-time job. Provided I get enough rest and watch myself I don't have relapses. I can go out in the evenings without "Paying for it later", although I'm still more tired than "usual the next day. Symptoms are few and far between.
10. I am completely recovered. I have lots of energy with no signs of symptoms. I am back to climbing mountains on weekends.