The occupational therapist can make a unique contribution to helping people with CFS/ME set, and attain, realistic goals for graded activity as they are trained to analyse how tasks are comprised of mental, physical or emotional components.
This highly individualistic approach can enable people with CFS/ME to gradually start being able to do what they want to be able to again.
In occupational therapy we focus on the tasks you want to be able to do even though you have CFS/ME and how to overcome barriers that might be preventing you from doing those tasks. It is recognised that these problems may be related to physical or to the mental processing demands of a task (ie poor concentration, memory).
A referral to occupational therapy may enable you to address issues such as those listed below on a one to one basis:
- Restore balance between rest and activity in a multi-tasking lifestyle.
- Progression of graded activity programmes to enable a return to work.
- Problem-solving and practise of techniques to enable coping with difficulties with attention, concentration or memory.
- Progression of higher-level work performance skills.
- Problem-solving and practise of techniques to enable attainment of leisure and social goals.
- Problem-solving effective career or lifestyle changes.
Return to work programme
The occupational therapy service also offers the opportunity for clients with CFS/ME to participate in a small group specifically designed to address work-related issues. This may include paid work, study or non-paid / voluntary work.
The group format allows participants to learn how to adapt illness management strategies to meet the demands of work situations. Coping with home management chores such as cooking can be equally as challenging as how to complete business reports in a chaotic office. The group provides participants with an opportunity for enhanced learning as they share their experiences in applying strategies to real life situations.
The structure of the group requires clients to be able to attend weekly sessions for six weeks. Sessions are designed to last for two hours and are held in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kenton and Lucas block, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital.
Patient Information Leaflets -
"Steps to Success" CFS and Occupational Performance
Memory and CFS/ME