Understanding the Spoon Theory

When you have a chronic illness like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you get used to explaining yourself and your condition. The sad truth, however, is that often people still don’t understand you and doubt your pain.

For lupus sufferer Christine Miserandino, it was trying to explain her condition to her friend that drove her to think up the explanation now used by chronic illness sufferers everywhere: the spoon theory.

She took a handful of spoons and explained that each activity she completes in a day “costs” a certain number of spoons. When the spoons are gone, she has no more energy left for that day.

A typical “healthy” person has a high or unlimited amount of spoons and doesn’t have to ration them to get through the day. But those with chronic illness must consider their days and activities carefully so they don’t burn out before the day is over.