Assessment and Diagnosis of CFS/ME in Adolescence

This session introduces the learner to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and equips the learner with knowledge of when a diagnosis of CFS/ME should be made.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Recognise the presentation of CFS/ME in young people
• Identify the major features of CFS/ME in young people
• Identify the symptom criteria for CFS/ME in young people
• Outline the medical investigations that need to be done to exclude other causes of fatigue in young people
• Describe what to include in a full assessment for diagnosing CFS/ME in young people

Fatigue is a part of ‘normal adolescence’ in the UK today. The increase in fatigue between childhood and adolescence is most likely to be caused by the increased physiological demand of growth occurring alongside increasing educational, sporting and social demands. Most adolescents experiencing fatigue on a regular basis do not seek help from a doctor. Most are still able to get to school and maintain their usual social and extra curricular activities.