'That was my old life; it's almost like a past-life now': identity crisis, loss and adjustment amongst people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Adele Dickson, Christina Knussen, Paul Flowers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The interviews centred on the experience of living with the condition from the participants' own perspectives. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three inter-related themes were presented: 'Identity crisis: agency and embodiment'; 'Scepticism and the self' and 'Acceptance, adjustment and coping'. Participants reported an ongoing sense of personal loss characterised by diminishing personal control and agency. An inability to plan for the future and subsequent feelings of failure, worthlessness and insignificance ensued.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)459-476
Number of pages18
JournalPsychology and Health
Volume23
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2008

Keywords

  • identity
  • health psychology
  • chronic fatigue syndrome

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