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The Psychological impact of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Coping strategies

I suffered from Fibromyalgia and Chronic Becoming chronically ill is very much
Fatigue for 4 years before reaching a like a bereavement. The losses and
point where I am 90% better than I was at emotions involved are very similar.
the beginning of the illness. Giving up works means not only that you
I will say from the outset that I believe lose income but you also lose status,
this is one of the worst afflictions that friendship and a purposeful role in life.
can strike any person, at any age and at Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
anytime. encompass the full range of human
Not only is it so debilitating that it emotions and magnify the negative ones
now has the same disability rating ten-fold.
assigned to heart disease patients, but This disease really is a monster. The
at the same time you have to deal with usual response is to want to hide away
negative connotations that surround it. from the world. However, confronting
Even the name doesn't sound credible, these emotions can be very important as
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", "what is that part of your psychological rehabilitation
like a bad hangover or something" people which should be addressed in conjunction
will say. At a time when you need the with the manual therapy discussed later.
most support in your life, often, people This really is an area where a healthy
are turning their backs and walking away mind can assist a healthy body towards
or muttering under their breath. It is a better recovery.
frightful condition. The pain that comes with Fibromyalgia and
This will be a pivotal point in your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be
life. You will find that during the frightening and this in itself can cause
course of your illness you will find out fear, loneliness, isolation, panic and
who your real friends are, and who really anxiety.
cares. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no point disguising the reality can create a fear of rejection by others
which is, I'm afraid to say, that you even when there is no evidence of this
will lose a lot of friends and colleagues happening. I mean, who wants to be around
along the way to the monster that is someone who is like this, we say to
Fibromyalgia and CFS. ourselves.
It is NOT possible to explain this Again this is a normal reaction, our self
condition to people who have no esteem is based on what others think of
experience of it either by having us, and usually that is based on what we
suffered, or through having a particular "do" or "how we play" , or "what we say",
medical interest in the area. They WILL generally how we interact with other
NOT understand what, or to what extent, people. As we take to "doing less",
you are suffering. Again, I'm afraid this "playing" less and generally interacting
is the norm. Accept it as such and you "saying" less, then our self esteem
will not then be personally offended by plummets along with our health.
acts of prejudice. Easier said than done We are worried about the future; the dark
I know. Let us examine a common sequence shadow of uncertainty is round every
of events which may ring a bell with corner. Will I ever get better? What if I
sufferers, to understand the prejudice don't? How long is this going to go on?
from an outsider perspective. We ask these questions every day. We
You had a viral/ bacterial/ chemical begin to experience life in a shadow
exposure of unknown etiology, the same as land. Our hopes and dreams have been
happens to millions of people throughout shattered and the road ahead can be bleak
America every day, and for some reason and never ending.
that no-one can explain to you, you have Anger is very common emotion - Why me? -
felt generally ill and exhausted with Why now? - What have I ever done to
multiple symptoms and multi-systemic deserve this? Unfortunately this anger
involvement ever since. Your doctor alienates those we love even more.
appears cynical and can't give you an You will find supportive people, often,
adequate diagnosis so you may by now have and encouragingly the last people you
been referred to a psychologist for would expect. Those who are supportive
analysis as a suspected depressive are often people, or those close to them,
incident. "hmmm okay" you hear them who have experienced serious illness and
mutter. are living with it, or have come through
Ask yourself this question. it.
If you had no knowledge about Or, those who have experienced
Fibromyalgia and CFS what would your Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
reaction be to someone else developing or have someone close to them who has it.
these symptoms?............ You see? Its These are the people you should aim to
human nature, it's cruel isn't it? spend your limited energy resources
So how do we as sufferers cope and building relationships with for the
rationalize what is happening. moment.
Knowledge is power. Educate yourself Do not feel bitter towards people who you
about your condition. lose at this stage, hold on while you can
Concentrate on yourself and try not to then just let them go lightly, they are
dwell morbidly over the people that you not your problem. Fibromyalgia and
have lost already. Those that do not Chronic Fatigue Syndrome IS your problem,
stand by you, and there will be some, are and fighting it hard is your duty to
what we term fair-weather friends, yourself, to get your health back, for
usually activity based they were your you and your loved ones. You are going to
friends due to your common interest in a need the energy you have left for this
certain activity, be it sport/ work etc. fight.
The activity has gone due to your I do advocate counseling and support
illness, therefore by association so does groups. You will need to find someone who
the friendship, this is okay because we has specific knowledge about the
are going to get you to a stage where you emotional effects of Fibromyalgia and
can resume the activity, you can forgive Chronic Fatigue, again a good doctor
those "acquaintances" if you wish and should be able to put you on the right
resume the activity with them, you will path, there are also Fibromyalgia and CFS
also be wiser and more aware of "the support groups based in most cities and
type" of friendship you have with this towns across the US.
person. Once you have found a good support group
What goes around come around and what is you will also find good counseling.
going around is that you are going to get However, the majority of cases will NOT
better!! need to see a psychologist unless you are
There is a small consolation that I allow being referred for Cognitive Behavioural
myself, and this is the level of Therapy, as your illness is NOT
self-knowledge and wisdom that you will depression, and therefore you should not
gain from this painful journey. It's a accept anti-depressants, with the
small consolation I know and I hear most exception of possibly low dose
of you screaming, "it's wisdom and amitriptyline if your symptoms include
knowledge I could well do without", but severe nervous pain and sleep
it is there and when you do come out the disturbance.
other side in the following weeks and However I cannot personally vouch for
months what you have been through will this but there is enough evidence to
make you ten times the person you were suggest is a valid treatment.
before. Mental and emotional preparation,
You have plumbed the depths of pain and knowledge of your condition, and the
despair and in the future you will be correct course of treatment are all
scaling the heights. If you come through essential and work symbiotically to
this nothing in life will phase you assist your recovery.
again. You will value the simple things In my next article I will explain new
in life. You will live every day. You research which is allowing us to
will scoff at the vanities and determine how genetic and biomechanical
selfishness of our systems and culture. anomalies, predispose certain individuals
Fibromyalgia and CFS will create to attacks of Fibromyalgia and Chronic
emotional havoc for you and for your Fatigue Syndrome.
loved ones. This is normal.




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