The Vicious Circle Of Fibromyalgia And Stress
Common medical opinion calls fibromyalgia (FM) a reaction of the mind and body in response to stress. Ironically, stress causes more pain and fatigue, and more pain and fatigue causes more stress which goes on and on in a vicious circle. Fibromyalgia is most often found in young women who are over-achievers and who live extremely tense, stress-filled lives. It's not restricted to just women, however, in that men who have stressful jobs or endure a lot of physical stress are often targets of the disease, too. The question in all cases of fibromyalgia is to wonder how to stop the endless cycle and help the patient begin to feel better.
FM patients easily feel fatigued and unable to meet all the demands of a happy, active life. This may cause depression which in turn causes mental stress along with physical repercussions. A person with a simple, laid-back life may not notice serious side effects of stress which exacerbates their pain and makes them too tired to function. A person like this may feel only occasional flare-ups of their condition; however, if you place this same person into a lifestyle filled with family interfaces and a demanding career, they will begin to feel a great deal more pain and far less stamina than if they were in a more sedentary, stress free life.
If you're dealing with a great deal of stress which is, in turn, causing your FM to be more painful than ever, there are ways of defusing the situation a bit in order to find some relief. Just plain having fun can make a world of difference. Put on some music, and sing and dance while you do the housework. Go out and take a walk and breathe the fresh air. Read a funny book or watch a crazy movie, and let yourself laugh at loud at the characters' antics. If you're alone a lot and feel cooped up, get out of the house and spend time volunteering. You may well find that the time you spend helping others will help you forget your own problems.
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