Jess's story, aged 14

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"It started when I was off school with a bad sore throat. I felt so tired. I found it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and slept in the afternoon but then slept for hours at night.

 

I used to be really good at tennis and I was in nearly all the top sets at school. I really wanted to get back to school because I knew I was getting behind. My friends came round to see me after I was ill, but I felt so tired that I could only see them for a short time so they have now stopped ringing and coming round. I do miss them but I feel too tired to contact them. If I do anything then I need time to rest. The other day I went out to the shops with Mum and Dad but then it took me three days to recover."

© 2008 Royal College of Psychiatrists