CBT should only be offered to support people who live with ME/CFS to manage their symptoms, improve their functioning and reduce the distress associated with having a chronic illness.
NICE state that with respect to symptomatic management in ME (myalgic encephalitis)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- CBT should only be offered to support people who live with ME/CFS to manage their symptoms, improve their functioning and reduce the distress associated with having a chronic illness
- the NICE committee
- "..wanted to highlight that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has sometimes been assumed to be a cure for ME/CFS. However, it should only be offered to support people who live with ME/CFS to manage their symptoms, improve their functioning and reduce the distress associated with having a chronic illness..."
- "..The committee agreed if a child or young person would like to use CBT, it was important to adapt the therapy taking into account their cognitive and emotional maturity..."
- ".. The qualitative evidence showed that people with ME/CFS have found CBT useful when delivered by a therapist who understands ME/CFS, but also that there is the potential for harm when it is inappropriately delivered. To avoid this, the committee made the recommendation about who should deliver CBT and the clinical supervision they should have..."
References:
- Cortes Rivera M et al. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2019 Aug 7;9(3)
- NICE (October 2021). Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management