| One way that some people are aided with dealing | | | | without having all the facts. After all, you only |
| with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia, is | | | | have to share your journal if you like. |
| to keep a journal that details their progression | | | | Maintaining a journal also gives you a way to |
| with their illness. A journal is not for everyone, in | | | | track treatments and shows what works and |
| fact, for some it is more of a chore than a help. | | | | what does not. For instance, if you're trying |
| For some, however, maintaining a journal that | | | | various headache or muscle ache remedies to |
| chronicles their illness allows them to track their | | | | eliminate Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia |
| progress, identify strategies that are helpful and | | | | symptoms, a journal will allow you to chronicle |
| generally provide solace to the writer as they | | | | what treatment worked best. This allows you to |
| detail the steps, pitfalls, high and lows of dealing | | | | refer to your journal for reference, when the |
| with Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia. | | | | symptoms return and identify almost immediately |
| Whether a journal is right for you depends on you | | | | successful and unsuccessful remedies. This also |
| and how you handle your illness. If you are a | | | | saves both time and discomfort as you're not |
| person who enjoys writing and reflecting, a journal | | | | experimenting, but rather relying on past history |
| can help serve as a repository of your thoughts, | | | | to treat your illness. |
| a place to record actions you took that dealt with | | | | Lastly, journals allow you to track your illness |
| the illness and as a "playbook" when you are | | | | through cycles and document whether your |
| beset with symptoms of the disease. By detailing | | | | treatment regimen is working. This gives you a |
| all this information, you can put your trials and | | | | "bird's eye" view of your treatment, something |
| triumphs on paper and use that as a resource for | | | | that is difficult to establish and maintain when you |
| reference, inspiration and even solace. | | | | are on the "front lines" of any disease or illness. |
| Many doctors will encourage you to journal details | | | | By detailing the highs and lows, you can determine |
| about their illnesses. You see, this gives them a | | | | if your treatment is working and if that treatment |
| better insight into what you are thinking, enduring, | | | | needs tinkering or wholesale changes in order to |
| defeating or struggling to defeat. It also allows | | | | ensure that you get the most effective |
| them to take rare look inside your mind that they | | | | treatment possible. |
| otherwise would not see. After all, doctors cannot | | | | Who shouldn't keep a journal? That depends on |
| monitor every one of their patients 24 hours a | | | | the person. If you are depressive and hate |
| day, but a journal allows them a window into the | | | | reading about you illness then a journal may not |
| personal life of their Chronic Fatigue or | | | | be the tool for you as it may cause you to feel |
| Fibromyalgia patient and this journaling experience | | | | even more depressed or even more ill. Also, if |
| can serve both you and the doctor as they | | | | you hate writing, then you may choose |
| become more intimately connected to your | | | | something else. Perhaps for you, talking out your |
| experience. | | | | feelings with a trusted friend or advisor would |
| Journals also serve as a therapy for some people. | | | | work best. |
| Many people suffering from chronic illness go | | | | Overall, though, most people will view a journal as |
| through periods where they feel depressed or | | | | a powerful tool to track their progress, setbacks, |
| despondent because of their condition. If you're | | | | comebacks and overall condition. A journal can be |
| someone like this, a journal can provide you with | | | | a great focus point during the day and intense |
| an outlet where you can write exactly what you | | | | therapy. Best of all, a journal can encourage you |
| are feeling without fear of a doctor, loved one or | | | | as you see your health emerging after a period |
| stranger judging their mental or emotional state | | | | of time. |