Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that occurs in only 2 percent of the population in the United States, explains the Mayo Clinic. Individuals with the condition suffer from pain the muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and tenderness in specific places on the body. The chronic pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia can lead to other health issues, including sleep disturbances and insomnia. Over time, individuals may experience concurrent psychological disorders or distress. Fibromyalgia shares many symptoms with several mood disorders, making it difficult to determine if the side effects are due to the disorder itself or the psychological issues.
Depression
According to the University of Washington, about 25 percent of individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from depression. The depression may be a pre-existing condition of the disorder or it may be the result of lack of sleep or the side effect of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Individuals suffering from chronic pain may have thoughts or mood changes associated with depression. Examples of mood changes resembling depression include feeling hopeless or sad. Other symptoms of depression include fatigue, lack of interest in hobbies or daily activities, irritability and unexplained crying. The Mayo Clinic points out that antidepressants are among the several medications used to treat fibromyalgia. Whether antidepressants can relieve the pain associated with the condition or not varies for each patient, but it can be effective in resolving other symptoms.
Fibro Fog
The University of Washington points out that individuals with fibromyalgia may have difficulty concentrating and often suffer from what is called a fibro "fog." The National Fibromyalgia Research Association defines the fibro fog a state of cognitive dysfunction that can last several hours, weeks, or even the entire duration of the condition. Other symptoms of fibro fog include difficulty completing thoughts or even maintaining their train of thought when speaking. The university points out that it is common for people suffering from chronic illnesses to have difficulty completing mental tasks. These symptoms may occur as a result of inadequate sleep, chronic pain or even frustration with the disorder. Nearly 90 percent of sufferers experience sleep problems. According to PsychologyToday.com, this can sometimes be more debilitating than the disorder itself.
Anxiety
Stress can cause anxiety, which presents itself in a number of ways. Individuals with fibromyalgia may develop an excessive, irrational dread of leaving the house because of the potential for pain or other symptoms of their condition. The National Institute of Health (NIH) attributes these same symptoms to anxiety. Other symptoms of anxiety may include tension, worry, headache, fatigue and difficulty overcoming concerns. These symptoms are similar to the general symptoms of fibromyalgia. Anxiety, like depression and fatigue, can make daily activities difficult or impossible to complete.
