From Sufferer to Art Maker- How art therapy can help Individuals with

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

By Eileen Cheong

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Definition Symptoms Population Quality of Life Art Therapy with Patients who have CFS

Clinically defined by: severe disabling fatigue impaired concentration “ “ short term memory sleep disturbances musculoskeletal pain

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or myalgic encephalomyetis?

M.E. Defined

The term M.E. was coined in 1956 and means: My = muscle, Algic = pain, Encephalo = brain, Mye = spinal cord, Itis = inflammation.

How do we define fatigue?

Fatigue as defined by mental or physical exhaustion not attributed to exertion or diagnosable disease.

Prolonged fatigue- lasting at least one month

chronic fatigue- persistent or relapsing for six or more consecutive months

Who is affected by ME/CFS?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common chronic health condition, especially for women, occurring across ethnic groups

There are cases of CFS in children younger than 12

Before onset of illness, patients report busy lives occupied by jobs, recreational activities, frequent exercise

Quality of life

Loss of adult roles Limited to activities

that are not physically or mentally taxing

Severe cases can result in being homebound or even bedridden for years

No drug cure Susceptible to mental

health illness such as Depression

Less opportunities for intimacy

Stigma

How art therapy can help

Many leisure occupations require far too much cognitive and physical resource such as reading or writing

Art-making initially offers controllable opportunities for making small, easily handled items, during short periods of activity.

What is Art Therapy?

Use of art making to reduce stress

Pain relief Processing of trauma Foster confidence Healing

Used with a variety of populations and settings including mental health clinics, geriatric centers, schools and more

Benefits of Art Therapy

Enjoyment of daily life Builds self-esteem Solitary or group Offers Validation Provides internal locus

of control

Assists with acceptance of having a long-term chronic illness

Focus on positive thinking

Testimony from People with CFS/ME

Looking at ME through artistic expression

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7lGfaVcX8

Why is an art therapy program needed?

Therapeutic benefits Artistic potential Imagine the possibilities

Doing this [art] has given me a sense of richness of my

immediate environment (including the room I’m usually

stuck in) which I did not have before. This layer of

texture and detail – heightening – has been a factor in

still surviving ME (written account).-

(Reynolds et al., 2008, p 1285)

ResourcesAuthor Unknown (2010) Sometimes I Feel Like A Ghost http://moonwillowstudio.blogspot.com/

Crowhurst, L. (2007) Art & M.E. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7lGfaVcX8

Fukuda, K., Straus, S., Hickie, I., Sharpe, M., Dobbins, J., & Komaroff, A. (1994). The chronic fatigue syndrome: A comprehensive approach to its definition and study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 121(12), 953–959.

Jason, L.A., Richman, J.A., Rademaker, A.W., Jordan, K.M., Plioplys, A.V., Taylor, R.R., McCready, W., (...), (1999) Plioplys, S. A community-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome Archives of Internal Medicine, 159 (18), pp. 2129-2137. doi: 10.1001/archinte.159.18.2129

Larun, L., Malterud, K. (2007) Identity and coping experiences in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:A synthesis of qualitative studies Patient Education and Counseling 69 20–28

Reynolds, F. & Vivat, B. (2010). Art-making and identity work: A qualitative study of women living with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. Arts and Health, 2 (1), 67-80. doi:10.1080/17533010903-495306

Reynolds, F., Vivat, B. (2006) Narratives of art-making in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: Three case studies The Arts in Psychotherapy 33 435–445

Reynolds, F., Vivat, B., Prior, S. (2008) Women’s experiences of increasing subjective well-being in CFS/ME Disability and Rehabilitation 30(17): 1279 – 1288

Seppa, N. (2011) Tired, sure, but is it from Lyme disease or chronic fatigue?A scan of spinal fluid proteins reveals distinct signatures for two conditions. Science News Vol.179 #7 (p. 12)