Study finds Cognitive Behavioral Treatment exacerbates CFS/ME symptoms

@ pubmed

J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs. 2015 Oct 16. doi: 10.1111/jcap.12125. [Epub ahead of print]

The Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Depression and Low Self-Esteem in the Context of Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): A Case Study.

Loades M1.

Author information

Abstract

PROBLEM:

Up to one in three young people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) also has depressive symptoms. It is not known how best to treat young people with this comorbidity.

METHOD:

This case report seeks to describe and discuss the use of a cognitive behavioral approach for depression and low self-esteem in a 16-year-old girl with CFS/ME.

FINDINGS/CONCLUSION:

Therapy was effective in remediating the young person's mood difficulties, but appeared to exacerbate their CFS/ME symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial that CFS/ME and mood treatments are designed and trialed to ensure a complementary approach. Good communication and joint working between involved professionals is also important, and ideally, treatments for mood and for CFS/ME would be provided by the same team to facilitate this.