As someone that suffers with fibromyalgia, you likely know how difficult things can do for you at times. That being said, the mental health implications that go along with it can be that much more difficult. People with fibromyalgia are incredibly likely to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and more.
That being said, how can we deal with both of these issues together? What can we do in order to make sure that we can cope with the symptoms of both of these disorders? That’s what we’re going to take a closer look at here in this article.
Why Are Mental Illness and Fibromyalgia So Intertwined?
Mental illness is a really a huge part of many chronic illnesses, because even though you may not have to deal with them because of chemical imbalances or whatnot, the worry and the stress that comes from having a chronic illness can really cause some harsh mental health problems.
That being said, fibromyalgia is no different – the disorder actually doesn’t have a cause that we know of at this point, which makes it that much more stressful to deal with and much more disheartening if you are trying to find a treatment plan that gives you the relief that you’re looking for.
Also, because fibromyalgia is about your body being more sensitive to pain stimuli, you may also be a lot more sensitive to stress and other mental health issues, thus making it harder for you to cope with your daily needs and the way that you have to life.
Of course, there’s another link that goes the other way as well. If you have symptoms of anxiety or another mental health disorder (whether it’s a chemical imbalance or you’ve got something else going on in your body or mind that is causing it), it can actually make the fibromyalgia worse. Think about what your body does when you’re fighting off anxiety or depression. You’re going to feel exhausted, you’re going to feel defeated, you’re not going to eat as well (or you’re going to overeat).
There are so many things that you do to your body when you’re fighting mental illness, and thus, you aren’t giving yourself the care that you need or the care that you deserve. On top of that, panic attacks are also quite common with fibromyalgia, and also with anxiety. Without caring for your body and not being careful of the treatment plan you may have can cause you to struggle a lot more with your fibromyalgia, thus making the cycle go around again and again.
That’s why it’s so important that we determine exactly what is going on with your body before you do anything. Why are you feeling anxiety? How are the two connected? What can you do in order to make sure that you are in tip top shape and that you are able to fight off both of the disorders without causing yourself more stress and strain than you may already be dealing with. Fibromyalgia and anxiety are so intertwined, and if we aren’t careful, we will just continue to spiral until everything in our bodies is out of whack.
How Can We Cope with Fibromyalgia and Anxiety?
So here’s the big question. What do we have to do in order to make sure that we’re properly coping with our fibromyalgia and our anxiety? What methods are usually included in a treatment plan that results in success on both ends of the spectrum?
Medication is almost always a part of dealing with fibromyalgia and anxiety. Antidepressants are actually incredibly common in treating fibromyalgia, so making sure that the antidepressant is also an antianxiety medication can play a huge role in helping you to stay calm and to feel as if you have everything under control.
Your doctor may have to try a few different medications in order to ensure that you are, indeed, getting the help that you need and seeing the progress that you need, but the trials will be worth the results.
That being said, there are a lot of home remedies that you should be trying as well when dealing with fibromyalgia and anxiety. Yoga is very good for both fibromyalgia and anxiety. Not only does it help to stretch out your body, thus helping to reduce any of the pain that you may be dealing with; but it also ensures that you are able to relax and get in touch with your body, thus reducing any of the anxiety that you may be feeling as well. There are also herbs you can take, and there are ways that you can adjust your diet that will also help reduce the stress and pain that come from a dual diagnosis of both fibromyalgia and anxiety.
Anxiety reduction techniques are also an important part of dealing with your fibromyalgia and anxiety. You can learn about breathing techniques that help you to regain your focus and to cope with any of the stress that you may be dealing with in your life. Grounding techniques are also helpful; those help you realize that you are here and that you exist, and as a result, your fibromyalgia and anxiety will start to lessen.
Even though these mostly work on your anxiety, if you lessen your anxiety, you’re going to see a significant difference in your fibromyalgia because you’re going to take better care of yourself and you won’t be feeling the stress from the anxiety disorder as well. It will also lessen any panic attacks you may be having as well.
You should never try to deal with any of your medical symptoms alone. There are so many different treatment options for fibromyalgia nowadays that there’s no reason for you to try and slug through it without some help. Your doctor can help you figure out the best course of treatment and give you advice about the best way to go about things with all of the complications related to fibromyalgia. Contact them today for more information and to get advice.
Further reading
How Are Anxiety and Fibromyalgia Connected?: http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/symptoms/fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia: http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/other-related-conditions/fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, Depression and Anxiety: http://www.news-medical.net/health/Fibromyalgia-Depression-and-Anxiety.aspx
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