2017 Volume 16 Issue 1 Pages 47-54
Fibromyalgia syndrome(FMS)is one of the most misunderstood functional disorders. A number of patients with FMS are in agony because their conditions are rarely understood and treated properly by health care providers. Functional disorders develop as a result of disturbed homeostasis in the body. Case: The patient was a female in her 50's with FMS and orthostatic hypotension. She had looked after her parents for 10 years before they passed away. Since their death, however, she has been afflicted with the sense of emptiness, the sense of uselessness and resultant weak self-efficacy. It led to suicidal ideation. Results: We listened to the patient, trying to see her self-contempt in a positive light. With our encouragement, she became responsive and made an effort to do what she could despite pain. While reflecting on her parents and how they influenced her personality, she was reminded of a book by Viktor Frankl. Reading it again helped her find the will to meaning, after which the focus of therapy shifted to her meaning of life. Conclusion: The combination of Balint medical interview and logotherapy allowed the patient to take a courageous step to fulfill her meaning of life. We consider that our whole person approach made a positive contribution to it.
