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Novel treatment (new drug/intervention; established drug/procedure in new situation)
Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery
  1. Mary Burgess1,
  2. Trudie Chalder2
  1. 1Chronic Fatigue Research and Treatment Unit, South London & Maudsley Trust, London, UK
  2. 2Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College Hospital, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Mary Burgess, mary.burgess{at}slam.nhs.uk

Summary

The needs of children and adolescents severely affected by chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) are currently inadequately addressed in the UK. Sadly, there are few specialists addressing the needs of these patients who are primarily bed-bound, wheelchair users or who can only leave home on an infrequent basis. Uncertainty about what to offer as well of a lack of funding may play a part. Action for Young people with ME (AYME) suggests that at least 350 severely affected children/adolescents are receiving little or inadequate care to help them overcome this debilitating illness. This case report illustrates how recovery can occur with pragmatic rehabilitation combined with a committed compassionate family based approach.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.01.2011.3716

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests MB and TC are authors of overcoming chronic fatigue published by Constable and Robinson. TC is the author of Coping with chronic fatigue. Sheldon Press. London and Chalder T & Hussain K. (2002) Self Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A Guide for Young People. Blue Stallion Publication. Oxon.

    • Patient consent Obtained.