Treatment of the chronic fatigue syndrome
Α. FOTIADOU, Ν. KOUTOUVIDIS, S. ILIAS, V. PAPALIMNAIOU

The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) reflects a complex interaction between cerebral dysfunction, trigger factors and social attitudes and is complicated by secondeary symptoms.

The treatment of CFS requires that the patient is given a positive explanation of the cause of his symptoms, emphasizing the distinction among factors that may have predisponsed them to develop the illness, triggered the illness and perpetuated the illness. The role of antidepressants remains uncertain. The only treatment strategies of proven efficacy are cognitive behavioral ones.