Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Marlene Gundlach - June 28, 2008
The first signs of fibromyalgia are definitely physical in nature. The pain, fatigue, and stiffness associated with FMS can lead to a host of psychological symptoms that can be as overwhelming and debilitating as the physical suffering.
Depression
Depression is an extreme sadness that is marked with feelings of hopelessness. At times, people use the word depression in a casual manner such as “Man, I am so depressed today!” But, real depression is not something that lasts one day, or even one week. It is not a condition that you can just work your way out of with a quick pep talk. The pain and sleeplessness that accompanies fibromyalgia can lead to real depression. If you find yourself fighting some of the following symptoms, it is important to talk with your doctor about the possibility that you are dealing with depression, on top of your fibromyalgia:
- Drastic changes in appetite, either an increase or decrease
- Thoughts of suicide
- Guilt
- Agitation or anger
- Increased need to sleep, or difficulty sleeping
- Change in energy levels
Depression is treatable and is something to be taken very seriously. Often a mix of prescription medications and therapy is prescribed to deal with a bout of depression. Getting a handle on depression can be an extra step towards also overcoming fibromyalgia.
Anxiety
Anxiety is different from depression. Depression is more of a feeling of hopelessness. Anxiety is a feeling of panic and powerlessness. With fibromyalgia, the anxiety can set in immediately. The constant pain paired with the difficulty of finding a diagnosis can lead to some anxious moments. Couple the pain with the lack of sleep, and patients find themselves at a loss. They do not know how to stop the pain and are unsure of how they will handle the next day, and the next. Dealing with the anxiety may take a little outside help. There are anti-anxiety medications that may be of help, or some may benefit from support groups or therapy. Just as you seek help with your physical pain, you should seek help with healing emotionally.
Fibro Fog
The non-restorative sleep that often accompanies fibromyalgia can lead to yet another symptom called fibro fog. Simply put, fibro fog is an overall lack of focus and concentration. It can make accomplishing daily tasks at home and at work more difficult. Getting a good night’s sleep and managing stress levels are two steps you can take to help fight fibro fog. There are other simple things you can do to battle this onset of mental confusion:
*Try not to tackle jobs that may require a lot of mental focus. Save those for days when you are having a stretch of good sleep and are more mentally alert.
*Make lists that can help you manage your day. Before you go to bed at night, make a list for the upcoming day of what you want to accomplish. This will not only help you get through the next day, but it may also help you get a better night’s sleep because you have cleansed your mind of all of those pending tasks.
*When at work, take notes throughout your day of facts or dates you will need to remember. Faithfully use a calendar or PDA to organize dates, names, and other contact information.
The key with the above tips is to not leave too heavy a burden on yourself when you are experiencing fibro fog. Leave your mind clear as much as possible so that you have a better chance of successfully getting through your daily routines.
