As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is "all in your head", but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL! However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety. Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.
The constant battle between home life and professional life is one of the major causes of depression and anxiety in today's woman. Unlike my grandmother who did not have to go out to work and still return home just in time to begin what I consider another full time career, home management, you have to juggle 2 full time careers. Sometimes I wonder if women foresaw this situation when the women liberation movement started many years ago.? Nevertheless that ship sailed (and docked) a long time ago.
Having to juggle your professional career and still play your role as a wife and/or mother is one of the reasons why you are susceptible to depression and anxiety. You can try to balance this by using your weekends to relax - tell hubby to take the children away or get a house help for the weekends. You should also strive to leave your work at work - let your boss know that you don't take work home. If you are your boss, then stop bringing those leftover "files" to your home...it will only depress you on the long run.
Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat. Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.
What can cause depression & anxiety? Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both. Little or no social and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.
Hormonal fluctuations is another biggie. For most women this occurs at least once a month, sometimes twice depending on their menstrual cycles or if they've just gone into menopause. Or if they feel they have just gotten that first wrinkle on their forehead or a number of issues really. Some of these may be physical due to the decreased hormonal production that going through menopause causes but mostly it is emotional. To counteract this, you should work on your mindset. Think of it like this; we are older at this stage of this article than we were when we both started reading/writing it (5 minutes ago!) Life goes on - prepare for the next stage of your life and stop clutching onto the past because it is just that...Past! That means that you can't do anything about it except worry right?
Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety. Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.
There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling - to help you recognize and release stress.You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles - so check back here!
Anxiety and depression outbreaks can occur at any age and time. Most of these patients are usually very stubborn and often never believe that they are affected by the illness. Advanced stages of anxiety and depression require frequent hospitalization and intensive medical care and supervision. Unattended depression can also lead to further serious medical complications like psychosis, schizophrenia and mental disorder. However, proper medical care and regular counseling will help patients to recover from the ordeals of anxiety and depression.
The constant battle between home life and professional life is one of the major causes of depression and anxiety in today's woman. Unlike my grandmother who did not have to go out to work and still return home just in time to begin what I consider another full time career, home management, you have to juggle 2 full time careers. Sometimes I wonder if women foresaw this situation when the women liberation movement started many years ago.? Nevertheless that ship sailed (and docked) a long time ago.
Having to juggle your professional career and still play your role as a wife and/or mother is one of the reasons why you are susceptible to depression and anxiety. You can try to balance this by using your weekends to relax - tell hubby to take the children away or get a house help for the weekends. You should also strive to leave your work at work - let your boss know that you don't take work home. If you are your boss, then stop bringing those leftover "files" to your home...it will only depress you on the long run.
Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat. Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.
What can cause depression & anxiety? Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both. Little or no social and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.
Hormonal fluctuations is another biggie. For most women this occurs at least once a month, sometimes twice depending on their menstrual cycles or if they've just gone into menopause. Or if they feel they have just gotten that first wrinkle on their forehead or a number of issues really. Some of these may be physical due to the decreased hormonal production that going through menopause causes but mostly it is emotional. To counteract this, you should work on your mindset. Think of it like this; we are older at this stage of this article than we were when we both started reading/writing it (5 minutes ago!) Life goes on - prepare for the next stage of your life and stop clutching onto the past because it is just that...Past! That means that you can't do anything about it except worry right?
Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety. Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.
There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling - to help you recognize and release stress.You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles - so check back here!
Anxiety and depression outbreaks can occur at any age and time. Most of these patients are usually very stubborn and often never believe that they are affected by the illness. Advanced stages of anxiety and depression require frequent hospitalization and intensive medical care and supervision. Unattended depression can also lead to further serious medical complications like psychosis, schizophrenia and mental disorder. However, proper medical care and regular counseling will help patients to recover from the ordeals of anxiety and depression.
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