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Case Reports
. 2011 May 10:2011:bcr0120113716.
doi: 10.1136/bcr.01.2011.3716.

Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery

Mary Burgess  1 , Trudie Chalder
Affiliations
Case Reports

Adolescents with severe chronic fatigue syndrome can make a full recovery

Mary Burgess et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

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.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fatigue and social adjustment scores over time.
Figure 2
Figure 2
School attendance scores over time.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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