Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Individuals with Endometriosis and Persistent Pelvic Pain
摘要
Endometriosis, a source of persistent pelvic pain, is an inflammatory disease where endometrium-like tissue is found outside the uterus, such as in the ovaries, intestines, bowel, and bladder. Symptoms of endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, heavy menstrual bleeding, gastric upset, and fatigue. Endometriosis is referred to as a ‘whole of person’ disease and is associated with persistent pain, lowered health-related quality of life, and psychological distress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an effective therapeutic approach for clients who wish to enhance their understanding of endometriosis-related experiences or their connection with important life domains. The chapter discusses the application of ACT for endometriosis with Maeve, a 29-year-old who has experienced endometriosis symptoms since the age of 12, providing the reader with an overview of key ACT components, techniques, and therapist dialogues.