The thesis entitled ‘A qualitative exploration of the movement disorder experience’ explores both the experience of diagnosis of several, and the lived experience of one specific, common movement disorders.
Section One presents a meta-synthesis of 24 research papers, each of which explores the diagnostic experience of either Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease or Huntington’s disease from the individual’s perspective. Three major themes emerged: “A bomb that could not be absorbed”: The emotional experience of receiving a diagnosis; “You’ve got what your cousin died from”: Feeling dismissed and powerless and “Know thy enemy”: To information seek or not? The findings provide insight into the traumatic experience of receiving a diagnosis, with certain factors found to exacerbate the situation, although some positives were identified. Clinical implications are discussed.
Section Two presents a research study exploring the lived experience of essential tremor. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis as the specific method, nine participants were interviewed and the data analysed. Three major themes were constructed: “But they often look at you like you’re some drug addict or smack head”: Social attitudes to difference; “I just couldn’t do it anymore”: The restrictive nature of ET and “You’ve got to cope; you’ve got to learn to fight different ways”: Rescuing some normality amid physical deterioration. The findings provide much needed experiential understanding and interpretation of one of the most prevalent neurological conditions. Clinical implications are discussed.
Section Three presents a critical appraisal of the research study. The author has reflected upon the research study findings in the context of findings from the meta-synthesis. Furthermore, reasons for conducting the research, its strengths and limitations, reflexivity and ideas for future research are also explored.