Understanding the Spoon Theory

Many chronic illness sufferers have experienced people not understanding them and their illness at some point in their lives. When they can’t see visible signs of illness, the doubt your experiences. This happens often for people with atrial fibrillation.

Then, the spoon theory was born.

Christine Miserandino, a lupus sufferer, was trying to explain her condition to her friend. Using spoons as a metaphor for energy, she explained that every task she completes in a day “costs” a certain number of spoons — once they’re gone she’s out of energy.

A typical healthy person would have a high amount of spoons, but a chronic illness sufferer must plan their day accordingly and pace themselves so they don’t run out.

Read on to learn more about the spoon theory and how to join the conversation.