Chronic illness -- a disruption in life: identity-transformation among women with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
BACKGROUND
People with chronic illnesses often suffer from identity-loss. Empirical research concerning patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia has not, however, adequately addressed the consequences of these illnesses for identity.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to describe how women with CFS and fibromyalgia create new concepts of identity after the onset of illness, and how they come to terms with their newly arisen identities. I aim to illuminate the biographical work done by these individuals, which includes a re-evaluation of their former identity and life. This process is illustrated by the following themes: An earlier identity partly lost and Coming to terms with a new identity.


METHODS
The study is based on interviews with 25 women in Sweden, 12 with the diagnosis of CFS and 13 diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A grounded theory orientated approach was used when collecting and analysing the data.


RESULTS
The main findings are that: (1) the illnesses can involve a radical disruption in the women's biography that has profound consequences for their identity, particularly in relation to work and social life, (2) biographical disruptions are partial rather than total, calling for different degrees of identity transformation, (3) many of the women also experience illness gains in relation to the new identity.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, the biographical disruption and illness experience comprised both losses and illness gains that had consequences for identity.
Asbring
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Centre for Development of Health Services, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. pia.asbring@smd.sll.se
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017281:Cost of Illness; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology*; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D014937:Work