Towards a Holistic Healing Model: Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Towards a Holistic Healing Model: Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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Issue Date
2025-02-14
Authors
Sebastian, Simona
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Abstract
Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder with a profound biopsychosocial impact, such as chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Despite these significant challenges, research exploring psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with hEDS is limited. This capstone examines the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based cognitive behavioural therapy, to address the psychological burden and enhance resilience for individuals with hEDS. Research findings are drawn from various disciplines, such as medicine, psychology, and counselling, using the biopsychosocial approach as a guiding framework to study the potential application of ACT for people with hEDS. Current literature indicates that people with hEDS experience significant physical, psychological, and social challenges., ACT has been found to be an effective approach for helping people in managing chronic illness. Although no direct studies of ACT and hEDS exist, evidence from related populations demonstrates ACT’s effectiveness in increasing psychological flexibility, reducing distress, and enhancing quality of life. The findings suggest that ACT’s core principles of acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, and values-based action, align well with the needs of those with hEDS. These insights are synthesized, and recommendations on how to apply ACT in a therapeutic setting for those with hEDS are provided. Further, ethical considerations are addressed, and areas for future research are identified. This study contributes to the understanding of hEDS by offering a holistic and evidence-based perspective that paves the way for future research into ACT’s efficacy for hEDS.
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Keywords
hypermobile ehlers-danlos syndrome , acceptance and commitment therapy , biopsychosocial model , psychological flexibility , chronic illness management