Fibromyalgia, Guilt, and Emotional Pain

Do you find that you have trouble asking for help when you need it? It’s interesting, but many people have the hardest time asking for assistance at times when they need it the most. It’s a stubborn trait that many of us have. In reality, many of the people with this stubborn trait are women, and ironically its women that are affected more by fibromyalgia. So, it goes without saying that it is extremely difficult for many women to seek help when dealing with this debilitating illness.



Asking for help also brings with it that wonderful feeling of guilt that women are also more likely to feel. So, along with the pain, the struggling to get through daily activities, and the constant uncomfortable feelings that come along with fibromyalgia, women are also afflicted with guilt.



I read an interesting blog post this morning written by a mother who is dealing with these very issues. Fibromyalgia pain can leave many women feeling quite useless to their families, their kids and their husbands. When getting the kids off to school feels like an enormous task, the guilt that accompanies everyday life can be as unbearable as the fibromyalgia pain itself.



The emotional struggle that comes with fibromyalgia is not something that is often talked about. In most cases, the physical pain is the focus of treatment and management of the illness. However, for those struggling with fibromyalgia, the emotional pain can be just as hard to overcome.



So, what to do about the emotional part of fibromyalgia? Chronic pain like this can be extremely difficult to come to terms with. Asking for help on bad days and depending on others is just not an option for many people, especially mothers who are trying to take care of the children, work, and make dinner every day.



The key to dealing with the emotional toll that fibromyalgia takes on a person is to find acceptance. Acceptance will help to ease your mind, and thus help to release stress from your muscles and in the end help you to deal with your pain more effectively. If you are not able to feel comfortable asking for help; if you feel guilty for having this illness, your stress level will affect your pain level.



Dealing with any chronic pain places a lot of stress on the body, both physically and emotionally. For a mother dealing with fibromyalgia, the emotional toll can be just as damaging. Understanding how to deal with your emotions and where to find help is the first step to finding acceptance.



For more information on treating all aspects of fibromyalgia, contact us today.