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Introducing the spoon theory -

If you know someone who lives with a chronic illness, such as lupus or fibromyalgia, you may have heard them refer to something called the spoon theory.

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History of the term -

First developed in 2003 by writer and lupus patient, Christine Miserandino, the spoon theory is an analogy that describes what it is like to live with a chronic illness.

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Common parlance -

It has become a popular way for patients to describe how it feels to manage daily pain and fatigue, and what it means to face challenges that other, able-bodied individuals do not face.

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The analogy itself -

The analogy is simple, and it goes as follows. One spoon represents a finite unit of energy, and each task you complete in a day requires you to use a certain number of spoons.

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Different tasks -

Less demanding tasks such as getting up and dressed require fewer spoons than more taxing tasks, such as vacuuming the house or taking the kids to school.

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Able-bodied spoon reserves -

An able-bodied person, in particular a young person, has a (seemingly) unlimited reserve of spoons that they can use as they please throughout their day.

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Freedom -

In general, they can go about their day, completing tasks without worrying that they will not have enough energy to move on to the next thing.

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Spoons and the chronically ill - A person living with chronic illness, however, has a limited number of spoons, and therefore must plan their day very carefully.

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The importance of rationing -

Using too many spoons on one task could mean that there are none left for other important tasks, so it is crucial to ration them throughout the day. 

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Why spoons? -

You might be wondering why Miserandino chose to use a spoon to represent a unit of energy in this analogy. In fact, it was a completely arbitrary choice.

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Coining the term -

Sitting with her best friend and struggling to explain to her what it feels like to live with lupus, she looked around the table for something she could use to represent units of energy.

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Available tools -

Landing on spoons, she gathered them and gave them to her friend, telling her to imagine she was living with lupus and that each spoon represented a unit of her daily energy.

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Limited spoons -

She walked her friend through a typical day, taking away spoons as it went on. By the end of the day she was unable to do everything she wanted to do.

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Hard to hear -

Understanding that is how people with chronic illness experience life, Miserandino’s friend was visibly upset.

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Difficult to understand -

At that point the writer knew that she had found a useful way to describe something that healthy people have struggled to understand.

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Popular term - Two decades later, the spoon theory has become very popular among people living with chronic illness, as it helps them articulate their experience to able-bodied people.

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Invisible illness -

People suffering with chronic illness do not always look sick. They often suffer a lot of stigma, with people accusing them of lying or exaggerating.

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Forging connections -

The spoon theory helps bridge the gap between the disabled and abled communities; what's more, it helps chronic illness patients feel heard.

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The importance of community -

Subscribing to the spoon theory can also be a great way for people living with chronic illness to unite with each other.

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Isolating experience -

Living with a disability, particularly an invisible one, can be very isolating, and it is therefore important to foster community and connection wherever possible.

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Other actions to take - When it comes to managing chronic illness, making sure other people understand your limitations is just one step in the process.

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Seek professional help -

It can be greatly beneficial to seek help from a professional. Taking early action will help you understand the reality of your condition and alleviate stress.

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Develop a personalized plan -

Working with a professional, such as a mental health provider, you can design a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.

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Take back control -

Following a personalized treatment plan is a great way to establish a sense of control and therefore improve your quality of life.

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Eat properly - Of course, there are also things you can do by yourself to help manage your condition. First up, unsurprisingly, is eating a healthy diet.

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Maximize your energy -

Putting the right fuel in your body will help maximize energy levels and put you in the best position to make use of all those valuable spoons.

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Avoid alcohol and substance abuse -

It is also a good idea to avoid negative coping mechanisms such as alcohol or other substances, and it can be helpful to explore stress-relieving activities, such as meditation.

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In a nutshell -

Living with chronic illness can be very challenging, but helping those around you understand what is going on will likely leave you feeling more supported and less alone.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic)

Sources: Everything you need to know about chronic fatigue syndrome

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