This document discusses how art therapy can help individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). [1] CFS is a disabling condition characterized by severe fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment. [2] Art therapy allows CFS patients to engage in a controllable and mentally relaxing activity. [3] Studies have found art therapy can reduce stress, build self-esteem, and help CFS patients find meaning in their lives despite their illness.

1. From Sufferer to Art Maker-
How art therapy can help Individuals with
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Eileen Cheong

2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Definition

Symptoms

Population

Quality of Life

Art Therapy with Patients who have CFS

3. What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or myalgic
encephalomyetis?
Clinically defined by:
− severe disabling fatigue
− impaired concentration
− “ “ short term memory
− sleep disturbances
− musculoskeletal pain

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

5. How do we define fatigue?
Fatigue as defined by Prolonged fatigue-
mental or physical lasting at least one
exhaustion not month
attributed to exertion or chronic fatigue-
diagnosable disease. persistent or relapsing
for six or more
consecutive months

6. 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

7. Quality of life

Loss of adult roles 
No drug cure

Limited to activities 
Susceptible to mental
that are not physically health illness such as
or mentally taxing Depression

Severe cases can result 
Less opportunities for
in being homebound or intimacy
even bedridden for 
Stigma
years

8. 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.

9. What is Art Therapy?

Use of art making to 
Used with a variety of
reduce stress
populations and

Pain relief settings including

Processing of trauma mental health clinics,
geriatric centers,

Foster confidence schools and more

Healing

11. Benefits of Art Therapy

Enjoyment of daily life 
Assists with

Builds self-esteem acceptance of having a
long-term chronic

Solitary or group illness

Offers Validation 
Focus on positive

Provides internal locus thinking
of control

12. Testimony from People with CFS/ME

Looking at ME through artistic expression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea7lGfaVcX8

13. Why is an art therapy program
needed?

Therapeutic benefits

Artistic potential

Imagine the possibilities

14. 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)

15. Resources
Author 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)