Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery.
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.
Chronic Fatigue Research and Treatment Unit, South London & Maudsley Trust, London, UK. mary.burgess@slam.nhs.uk
Mary
M
Burgess
Trudie
T
Chalder
D002648:Child; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome