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Does Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) work in children?

Posted , 5 users are following.

jay72454
jay72454

My daughter who is 14 had Glandular Fever last June, and after exhaustive tests by the Infectious diseases team at our local hospital, was diagnosed with CFS. She was referred to the CFS service in the same hospital, but after the initial consultation, they refused to continue seeing her as it is an Adult service. I have hit a brick wall! The GP has no suggestions, there is no Childrens' service in our area for treatment of CFS (the nearest NHS unit is 120 miles away), and I am struggling to find even a Private Psychologist who specialises in CBT and children. Has anyone else had the same brick wall experience? My daughter has been to school for a total of 8 days since last June! Does anyone have a good experience of CBT? She doesn't seem to be getting any better, spends most of her time lying down and I am convinced she is now depressed. Any advice or comments welcome as we feel like we are flailing around in the dark.

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • peter01102
    peter01102 jay72454

    Posted

    cbt does work but 1st thing 1st the person as got to want help.

    as to cfs , cbt never worked for cbt . but helped with my depression .

    cbt will be 4-6 visits to do it .

    i cant see the local 1 been that far form u im sure there is 1 under 30miles .

    i would ring ur local hosptial for a number or ur doctor to get u a local 1 .

    when u said 120 miles i thought it was an nhs dentist.

  • peter01102
    peter01102 jay72454

    Posted

    "" cbt never worked for cbt  "" typo..

    cbt never worked for cfs ... on my case ..

  • dawn97
    dawn97 jay72454

    Posted

    Hi jay first may I say I hear the agony & frustration in your words & my heart goes out to you ! , I'm 52 with fibromyalgia & c/f/s  & many years ago I spent 3 months in c  b t & I must say it helped enormously !!! So I think its worth a go for your daughter ( I don't believe it would do any harm )  what have you got to lose ??? Your daughter will be depressed missing out on her childhood ! Knock as many drs doors as you can I know it's frustrating but I'm afraid it's the only way you get anything done !!! You need help & you are entitled to help ! I'm very worried as my son has been ill with glandular fever low self esteem lost over 3 stone in weight not coping at college & just plain misserable !!! This has gone on for months but I'm praying when he's finally clear of glandular fever ( I'm told can take up to a year !!) he will pick up ,so I hope that's the case for you !! Please try not to worry ( easier said than done !!) just make a nuisance of yourself with drs & hopefully things will Improve for her ! All the very best take care dawn x
  • jackie00198
    jackie00198 jay72454

    Posted

    I tried CBT and had no luck. It can help some, though, in reframing thoughts in a constructive manner, and thus dealing with depression. It's not a panacea. I flew 2000 miles to see a CFS specialist. Maybe your daughter isn't well enough to travel, but if she is, it may be worth your while to travel 120 miles to see a CFS specialist. Also, sometimes, doing nothing and resting is a good thing. CFS can go away of its own accord.
  • JerseyKaz
    JerseyKaz jay72454

    Posted

    I totally agree with what Dawn said. Also, I have been going to the CFS clinic in London, but as I live in Jersey I have most of my 'therapy' over the phone in fortnightly, one hour calls. I'm having graded exercise therapy at the moment but about to also see someone for CBT. So, it may be worth a few phone calls, and even if you have to travel at first, you may not need to for the rest of it and at least it would get the ball rolling for your daughter. Good Luck cheesygrinJK
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