Psychosomatics of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition in which the whole body hurts, you tire quickly, sleep badly and your thoughts feel "foggy". The cause is not known, and it is more common in women. A doctor makes the diagnosis, often a rheumatologist or neurologist, after ruling out other illnesses, and it is treated with medicines, movement and work on stress. The Ladder method adds questions about how much you carry without rest.
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When to see a doctor
Start with a general practitioner: they will check your tests and, if needed, refer you to a rheumatologist or neurologist. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if pain and tiredness last and get in the way of life, because the sooner the cause is found and treatment begins, the easier it is.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method fibromyalgia is not explained by "you are winding yourself up", and that matters: the pain is real, you are not making it up and it is not your fault. It is a condition recognised by doctors, and treatment starts with a doctor.
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But the NHS and MedlinePlus name stress and poor sleep among the things that make symptoms worse, so questions to yourself are appropriate here. In the method, the image that fits a body that hurts all over is a "squeezed lemon": you have been giving for too long without refilling. It is an image, not the cause of the illness.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "I must cope alone" and "rest has to be earned". You can work through them while the doctor chooses treatment.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Pain all over the body that lasts for months
- Morning stiffness
- Severe tiredness even after sleep
- Poor sleep, frequent waking
- "Brain fog": trouble concentrating and remembering
- Headaches, stomach pain, sensitivity to light and noise
What medicine knows
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition in which pain spreads across the whole body. Other signs: extra sensitivity to pain, severe tiredness, muscle stiffness, poor sleep, trouble with memory and concentration ("fibro fog"), headaches and bowel problems (NHS).
The exact cause is not known. The NHS writes that symptoms can be triggered or made worse by stress, injury and infection, and MedlinePlus notes that it is more common in middle-aged women. It is thought that the brain and nerves process pain signals differently.
There is no single test for fibromyalgia. A doctor asks you questions, examines you and orders tests to rule out illnesses with similar symptoms: rheumatic conditions, thyroid problems, anaemia and low vitamin D. The diagnosis is made when pain lasts at least three months.
Treatment is chosen by a doctor. It usually combines painkillers and other medicines, gentle exercise (walking, swimming, stretching), talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and work on sleep and stress (NHS). Overdoing it on good days and crashing on bad ones often makes pain worse, so an even pace is better.
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Frequently asked questions
Is fibromyalgia psychosomatic?
Fibromyalgia is a condition recognised by doctors, not an invention. The exact cause is unknown, but stress, poor sleep and injury are named among the things that make symptoms worse. It is treated with medicines, movement and work on stress.
What does fibromyalgia mean in psychosomatics?
There is no proven "meaning" of fibromyalgia. In the Ladder method pain all over the body is a reason to ask yourself how much you give without rest. It is a question for yourself, not a diagnosis.
Which doctor should I see for pain all over the body?
Start with a general practitioner: they will check your tests and rule out other illnesses. A rheumatologist or neurologist is often needed next. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when pain lasts at least three months and other causes are ruled out.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.