Fibromyalgia - A relationship with trauma?
- Karl Jacks
- Nov 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2024
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder, characterised by muscular pain, tenderness, fatigue and sleep difficulties.
Accompanying problems, commonly elevated during periods of significant or sustained psychosocial or physical stress, may include:
Depression / anxiety
Irritable Bowels
Restless Legs
Sensitivity to chemicals
Studies highlight that many people living with fibromyalgia identify a relationship between the onset of their symptoms and significant emotional trauma, or, less frequently, physical trauma.
When triggered, fibromyalgia activates the sympathetic nervous system, the fight-or-flight response. This is the same mechanism that is activated when PTSD is triggered. This triggering initiates the release of stress hormones like cortisol, sensitising the nerves, leading to the transmission of pain signals in the absence of a physical source of pain.
Although people that did not experience Adverse Childhood Trauma (ACT) can experience fibromyalgia, the prevalence rate is significantly higher people that that were subject to ACT’s. This reflects findings of many studies, including a 2022 study, which identified that 88.2% of people with fibromyalgia had experienced childhood trauma.
A randomised control trial of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of fibromyalgia, conclude that “The results of the current study suggest that EMDR therapy is a viable alternative treatment for fibromyalgia. We believe these findings offer robust evidence supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy...” 1
Accessing appropriate, effective treatment, targeting precipitating factors such as childhood adversity/trauma may provide the long term resolution for people living with fibromyalgia.
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