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ME/CFS is a long-term condition with a multitude of symptoms, the most common of which is extreme tiredness. ME/CFS is more common in women aged 20-40, but it can be experienced by anyone, of any age.
We do not currently know exactly what causes ME/CFS, but it often appears to be triggered by an infection such as glandular fever or pneumonia. People with compromised immune systems can be more vulnerable, and there seems to be a genetic element to it as it is more common in some families.
There is no specific test for ME/CFS, so diagnosis will be done by your doctor based on your symptoms. The trouble is that many of the symptoms (see below) can be attributed to other illnesses which must be ruled out, and the symptoms must have been present for three months or more, so it can take time to diagnose ME/CFS.
Typical symptoms include:
These symptoms can change rapidly, and feel better or worse day by day, even hour by hour.
There is currently no specific treatment for ME/CFS, but doctors can prescribe medicines to treat individual symptoms such as poor sleep. Doctors should refer young people to a Paediatric Specialist ME/CFS team where they are likely to be seen by a range of specialists including physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, dieticians, and counsellors.
It is hard living with ME/CFS, patients feel really unwell and miss out on day-to-day life because they simply don’t have the energy to participate. Because it is a disease which is not fully understood by the medical profession it can take time to get a diagnosis. Friends and family often don’t understand quite how debilitating the illness can be and become frustrated. Patients with ME/CFS often have to make major lifestyle changes to manage their illness, and all of this can make patients more susceptible to developing mental health issues, such as depression.
If you, or someone you know, has been diagnosed with ME/CFS we recommend you get in touch with the ME Association which offers information, advice, and support.
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In this video BACP Accredited Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub, Alicia Drummond, gives her top tips for supporting a friend who is being bullied.
In this blog BACP Accredited Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub, Alicia Drummond, explores what parents can do to support children and young people who may be experiencing bullying.
Gambling may not be something that as a parent or carer you have thought of as a threat to your child, but the line between gambling and gaming has become ever more blurred and many young people are gambling without being aware that they are.
The past few years have taken their toll on the wellbeing of so many people. Amongst children and young people anxiety levels are high, and many are feeling frightened as they grapple with ongoing negativity in the news. We share our top tips on how to support young people through uncertain times.
Our friends at The Good Play Guide explain how early intervention and support can significantly improve a dyslexic child’s abilities.
It is normal to feel a little homesick when you first start boarding school. Read our top tips to help you settle.
GCSE results day can be stressful for young people – read our top tips to help support your child on GCSE results day.
This blog on the topic of resilience explores why it is important to create environments which build self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-awareness, and self-management if we are to prevent mental health crashes and build emotional resilience in our young people. We also explore what we can do as parents and carers to build these skills.
With Father’s Day on the horizon, people are starting to think about how they can make the day special for the father figures in their life and show them that they are appreciated. But remember, the most important thing about the day is the time spent together, and it is possible to create a memorable and enjoyable day without spending a fortune.
Be Real is the new and fast-growing social media platform that is piquing the interest of young people across the world. The terms and conditions of this app state the minimum age of use is 13 years old. Read about what you need to know about the app here.
Alicia Drummond, Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub discusses top tips for reducing anxiety and staying calm.
Alicia Drummond, Therapist and Founder of The Wellbeing Hub discusses why kindness matters and the small actions we can take everyday to be kinder to ourselves and others.
Elizabeth Swan, Specialist Coach for neurodivergent children and young people, shares her advice for parents and carers on how ADHD symptoms present in girls and her top tips for raising girls with ADHD.
With an estimated 1.25 million people living with an eating disorder in the UK it is helpful to know what we can do in terms of prevention and support. We discuss what an eating disorder is, how to spot the signs, and how to prevent your child from suffering with an eating disorder.
With an ability to generate realistic responses within seconds, from writing computer code to writing a news article about itself, there are growing concerns amongst staff that students may be using the website to write their work for them. We discuss the concerns and what you can do to ensure your child to ensure they get the benefits that Chat GPT offers whilst making sure they are aware of the potential risks.
Ofcom research published in 2022 found that 24% of three and four-year-olds have their own social media profiles, and this rises to 60% of the eight-to eleven-year-olds. Karl Hopwood, an independent online safety expert, discusses the online pressures children and young people face and offers parents and carers practical advice on how to help them think critically about what they are viewing online.
Cyberbullying is a prevalent form of bullying that occurs online and can take many forms which affects young people adversely. We discuss different methods to prevent your child from being cyberbullied and the importance of seeking help if they are being bullied.
Children and young people grieve just as much as adults, but they may show it in different ways. So, here are some of our top tips to help them during this difficult time.
Being bullied can be devastating but why do people bully others and who gets bullied? Alicia looks at bullying from all angles and gives you strategies to help if your child or pupil is either being bullied or bullying.
We have been informed by several schools that there are increasing concerns surrounding the growing popularity of Omegle. In response to the rise in safeguarding concerns about this site, we’ve created this blog to help spread awareness and provide you with practical tools and advice on how to talk to your child/ren about it.
Whatever your age or gender, knowing your body and being aware of the symptoms of breast cancer is really important. CoppaFeel!, a breast cancer awareness charity, have created this handy video to show you how it’s done. Feel free to share this resource with your child/ren to mark Breast Cancer Awareness!
Being in contact with so many schools we are kept abreast of emerging trends (thank you), and it seems that nicotine pouches are the new thing on the block. They are the fastest growing nicotine delivery product in the US and are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Alicia shares information on this new trend so you know what signs to look out for at home.
Have you heard of Andrew Tate? If not, it is time to wise up, especially if you have boys and young men in your household. As parents we need to be aware of what they are being exposed to. We need to talk to our children, to explore their views and feelings, and educate them so that they can have the happy, healthy relationships they deserve. Alicia Drummond shares her tips on how to have these conversations with young people.
The purpose of this blog is to give you a few pointers to help you support your child in the more adult environment of senior/secondary school.
While many families will be looking forward to their first holiday abroad in three years, parents who are recently separated or divorced might be feeling anxious about holidaying as a single parent. Parents who are divorced or separated must take certain steps to ensure that their trip is in line with the law. Annabel Andreou shares her advice for recently separated parents and carers wishing to take their child on holiday.
School is done, but some of us are still working, and the prospect of six weeks trying to entertain your offspring all summer may already be causing you nightmares. We share our tips on how to encourage your teen to balance their screen time and use their time online for good.
Prospective memory develops during childhood and adolescence through to our mid-twenties, but during the teenage years other factors come into play which make it less reliable in certain circumstances. Teenagers need to become increasingly independent in preparation for leaving home and prospective memory plays an important role in helping them achieve this goal. Alicia explains the relationship between prospective memory, alcohol and decision making, and shares tips on how to prevent lapses of prospective memory.
We are delighted to share this blog written by Katrina Judge from Young Climate Warriors on how to counter eco-anxiety and support your child/ren. This resource is also available in The Wellbeing Hub for parents, pupils and staff.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2022, we thought we’d share this blog written by Clare Nicholas on negative thought patterns. Clare shares her advice on how to manage negative thought patterns, practise self-care, and notice your positive attributes. This is a great one to share with your child/pupils.
This week is Eating Disorder Awareness Week and with an estimated 1.25 million people living with an eating disorder in the UK it is helpful to know what we can do in terms of prevention and support. We discuss what an eating disorder is, how to spot the signs, and how to prevent your child from suffering with an eating disorder.
January will have been a busy time for those sitting mocks in preparation for the summer. Some will have been reassured when they received their results, while others may have felt disappointed. As parents it can be difficult to know how best to help. So, what can we do? Lizzie Mitchell, an experienced tutor and university lecturer, shares her top tips and advice for parents.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental health problem which affects two in every one hundred people. It is a complex disorder which can be difficult to understand for both the sufferer and their family and friends. You often hear people joking about being a bit OCD when you see their immaculate laundry cupboard or categorised book collection, but those who suffer from OCD know it is absolutely no joke. So what is it?
As our children enter adolescence, they will start to reject things which seem childish to them, and that may include our gestures of affection. As parents we generally accept their rejection of childhood toys and interests but struggle when we are in the firing line. It is a sad day when a previously affectionate child pulls away from a hug or shuts down your expressions of love. For parents, the loss of intimacy can feel devastating, but what we sometimes fail to appreciate is that even though they are the ones doing the rejecting, they will experience a sense of loss too. In celebration of National Hugging Day, we discuss the importance of hugs for the self-esteem and wellbeing of young people.
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We are starting to see an increase in Covid restrictions again and the cracks are showing. Parents are telling us that they are not ok and many are concerned about the mental health of their children, both young ones and teenagers. We are in a period of collective mourning with many of us grieving our loss of certainty, of social interaction, of familiar habits and routines. We want our old lives back and we want it now. We share our tips on how to support your child’s mental health during these uncertain times.
Alicia went onto the Emma-Jane Show’s podcast to discuss all things teens and mental health. This is a very open and honest conversation about recovery, resilience and Alicia’s journey to where she is today.
In this blog, we consider the advantages of eating together as a family – something we have all apparently been managing to do more often since lockdown.
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We are working with some wonderful therapists across the country and some are offering two free, half hour emergency sessions to teenagers who might be particularly struggling.
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