As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is "all in your head", but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL! However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety. Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.
The constant battle between home life and professional life is one of the major causes of depression and anxiety in today's woman. Unlike my grandmother who did not have to go out to work and still return home just in time to begin what I consider another full time career, home management, you have to juggle 2 full time careers. Sometimes I wonder if women foresaw this situation when the women liberation movement started many years ago.? Nevertheless that ship sailed (and docked) a long time ago.
Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating. Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?
A person suffering from chronic depression should consider seeking professional help from a psychiatrist or psychologist as well. Often, speaking to a professional about how you feel and hearing them explain to you what part of your symptoms are common in depressed individuals will help you not to feel so alone.
What can cause depression & anxiety? Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both. Little or no social and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.
Hormonal fluctuations is another biggie. For most women this occurs at least once a month, sometimes twice depending on their menstrual cycles or if they've just gone into menopause. Or if they feel they have just gotten that first wrinkle on their forehead or a number of issues really. Some of these may be physical due to the decreased hormonal production that going through menopause causes but mostly it is emotional. To counteract this, you should work on your mindset. Think of it like this; we are older at this stage of this article than we were when we both started reading/writing it (5 minutes ago!) Life goes on - prepare for the next stage of your life and stop clutching onto the past because it is just that...Past! That means that you can't do anything about it except worry right?
Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety. Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.
Our final reason for depression and anxiety in women is actually your eating habits.Because you are "modern" you tend to eat a lot of junk food. Grab this here, bite that there and you tell yourself that you have to "eat on the move" because you live in a fast
One of the most common flawed modes of behavior performed by every sufferer who enters into a harrowing episode of stress, depression or anxiety concerns the words they use to describe situations and events they are confronted with. In using powerful, emotive words, sufferers will trigger the fear response and the more they use such words, the worse their suffering gets.Powerful, emotive words are part of everybody's vocabulary. Sometimes, we use powerful words when we lose our temper or we become angry and frustrated. In this state, we give vent to our feelings and the emotions within us have an outlet.This is fine. For most people, once their emotions have been expressed, they return to their usual selves and life carries on as normal.But it doesn't work like this if you are prone to stress, depression or anxiety.
[Depression & Anxiety]
The constant battle between home life and professional life is one of the major causes of depression and anxiety in today's woman. Unlike my grandmother who did not have to go out to work and still return home just in time to begin what I consider another full time career, home management, you have to juggle 2 full time careers. Sometimes I wonder if women foresaw this situation when the women liberation movement started many years ago.? Nevertheless that ship sailed (and docked) a long time ago.
Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates. Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating. Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?
A person suffering from chronic depression should consider seeking professional help from a psychiatrist or psychologist as well. Often, speaking to a professional about how you feel and hearing them explain to you what part of your symptoms are common in depressed individuals will help you not to feel so alone.
What can cause depression & anxiety? Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both. Little or no social and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.
Hormonal fluctuations is another biggie. For most women this occurs at least once a month, sometimes twice depending on their menstrual cycles or if they've just gone into menopause. Or if they feel they have just gotten that first wrinkle on their forehead or a number of issues really. Some of these may be physical due to the decreased hormonal production that going through menopause causes but mostly it is emotional. To counteract this, you should work on your mindset. Think of it like this; we are older at this stage of this article than we were when we both started reading/writing it (5 minutes ago!) Life goes on - prepare for the next stage of your life and stop clutching onto the past because it is just that...Past! That means that you can't do anything about it except worry right?
Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety. Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.
Our final reason for depression and anxiety in women is actually your eating habits.Because you are "modern" you tend to eat a lot of junk food. Grab this here, bite that there and you tell yourself that you have to "eat on the move" because you live in a fast
One of the most common flawed modes of behavior performed by every sufferer who enters into a harrowing episode of stress, depression or anxiety concerns the words they use to describe situations and events they are confronted with. In using powerful, emotive words, sufferers will trigger the fear response and the more they use such words, the worse their suffering gets.Powerful, emotive words are part of everybody's vocabulary. Sometimes, we use powerful words when we lose our temper or we become angry and frustrated. In this state, we give vent to our feelings and the emotions within us have an outlet.This is fine. For most people, once their emotions have been expressed, they return to their usual selves and life carries on as normal.But it doesn't work like this if you are prone to stress, depression or anxiety.
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