ME/CFS Society of WA: CBT & GET

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) are two highly controversial treatment options that may still occasionally be recommended by some Australian doctors for the treatment of ME/CFS.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of psychological counseling that may be used to help individuals adapt to and cope with the consequences of chronic and long term illness. In this context it has been shown to be useful in the treatment of people with cancer and other diseases and may also be helpful for those affected by ME/CFS.

However, some health professionals may still be recommending CBT as a sole and potentially curative treatment for ME/CFS. To support this practice these individuals may inadvertently rely on a small and inconclusive body of research that has been increasingly critisised and brought into question. The inappropriate use of CBT in this context may potentially complicate management and treatment of the disease leading to poorer health outcomes.

Graded Exercise Therapy (GET)

GET is a form of activity management in which individuals are required to incrementally increase their levels of physical activity. Some health professionals may still be recommending GET as a sole and potentially curative treatment for ME/CFS unaware that the small and inconclusive body of evidence that has been used to support this practice is now widely critisised and questioned. The use of GET in this manner, to 'push' individuals affected by ME/CFS beyond the physical limits imposed by the disease, may be harmful and potentially complicate treatment and management of ME/CFS leading to poorer health outcomes.

Pacing is a more appropriate form of activity management for people affected by ME/CFS.