Fibromyalygia & Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia is a medically unexplained syndrome characterized by chronic, widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue, and a mental fog; other possible symptoms include headaches, a sensitivity to light, sound and temperature, sleep disturbances, urinary problems, and irritable bowel syndrome. Fibromyalgia arises without a known cause or an identifiable trigger but it is known to impact the manner in which the nerves sense and relay pain messages.
Living with chronic pain is extremely difficult and while pain management is an essential part of treating Fibromyalgia, the emotional toll of living with chronic pain needs to be addressed as well; the daily stress of the pain that accompanies an unexplained illness can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an important part of treatment for Fibromyalgia. It helps people deal with and reframe the negative thoughts and emotions that accompany the pain and other debilitating symptoms of this condition, providing necessary coping skills and strategies in an effort to lessen the impact of the symptoms on daily functioning and quality of life.