Monday, July 16, 2012

Fibromyalgia Depression

By Carly Murphy


Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by long-term pain, sleep disorders, fatigue, depressive disorders, headaches, bowel problems and many other conditions. Fibromyalgia effects up to 10 million Americans, with up to 90% of patients being female. There isn't any known cure for Fibromyalgia but numerous treatment methods exist.

Depression is a quite common symptom associated with Fibromyalgia with scientific studies showing 30% of sufferers have problems with major Fibromyalgia and depression during the time of diagnosis with Fibromyalgia and 20% struggling with generalized anxiety disorder. It is believed that as much as 80% of individuals diagnosed with Fibromyalgia suffer from some amount of depression. Classic depression related problems experienced by people that have Fibromyalgia consist of worry, anxiety, irritability, sadness, and a general lack of interest in life.

Although no specific causes have been confirmed relative to Fibromyalgia, at this time there is evidence that indicates key causal factors that have an impact on both Fibromyalgia and the depression so common to it. Some causes connected to Fibromyalgia include problems in brain chemicals associated with nerve signal transmission, specifically nerve signals associated with pain. Trauma, both psychological and physical, are also revealed as potential causal factors linked to Fibromyalgia. Genetics also is suspected of playing a role.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by causal symptoms. This refers to the propensity for symptoms to feed on each other and build a continuing pattern of symptoms interacting in a downward spiral. These "negative feedback loops" include causal symptoms which lead to other conditions getting a whole lot worse. For example, a Fibromyalgia affected individual can experience chronic severe pain. This pain may cause trouble sleeping which leads to fatigue. The fatigue and pain can easily foster depression which feeds weight gain, stress and anxiety that all play a role in promoting Fibromyalgia pain.

Treating despression symptoms in Fibromyalgia is more difficult than dealing with depression as a stand alone concern. It is very important establish how and when depression is presenting itself and work to identify its relationship with Fibromyalgia symptoms. This will permit a practice of targeting treatment options not only at the depression itself but at the various other Fibromyalgia symptoms that could be feeding the depression.

Treatment options include pharmaceutical drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Wellbutrin together with various other potential pharmaceutical choices. There are several research proven alternative treatment options for depression with St. Johns Wort and SAMe both previously being demonstrated by means of multiple scientific studies as being equally as helpful as depression drug treatments for a lot of patients. Patients must coordinate with their physician to make the best longterm option and ensure no adverse drug interactions are suffered.

Fibromyalgia patients also tend to exhibit marked improvement for their depression and its impact on their other Fibromyalgia symptoms when treatment options are applied. Among the many treatment therapy options; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Modification Therapy and traditional Psychological Therapy have shown excellent results.




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