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

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.