Multiple sclerosis and occupations: what I want to be able to do, but cannot always do

Abstract

Introduction Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the Central Nervous System. People with Multiple Sclerosis may experience difficulties in their occupations due to the interference of the clinical condition in their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive health. Objective Considering the complexity of the illness process in these people's daily lives, the objective of this study is to understand how the occupations and realization of values of people with Multiple Sclerosis present themselves. As a theoretical foundation, Viktor Frankl's Occupational Science and Logotherapy stand out. Method This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research with a case study design, carried out in August 2022. For data collection and analysis, semi-structured interviews and Content Analysis were used, respectively. Results Modifications, adaptation, transition, and occupational ambivalence based on the diagnosis stand out. The participant maintained a care routine that became the main occupations of her daily life and attribution of what it means to be independent. Furthermore, even in the face of the inevitable difficulties of life, the encounter of meanings can be referred to through the realization of attitudinal values based on the perspective of Logotherapy. Conclusion It was possible to understand that occupations, in this case, express the realization of values, being intentional and meaningful for those who carry them out, enabling the encounter of meanings, the doing composed of forms, generating meaning and purpose to their existence.