{"id":117,"date":"2016-02-11T10:32:31","date_gmt":"2016-02-11T10:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwithfibromyalgia.net\/?p=117"},"modified":"2018-01-30T08:23:35","modified_gmt":"2018-01-30T08:23:35","slug":"fibromyalgia-depression-why-so-blue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/fibromyalgia-depression-why-so-blue\/","title":{"rendered":"Fibromyalgia &#038; Depression: Why so Blue?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are many studies out there that show a link between <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fibromyalgiasymptoms.info\/prominence-of-depression-with-fibromyalgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">depression and fibromyalgia<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In fact, some numbers state that individuals with the condition of fibro are around 3 times more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression when they are diagnosed than individuals who do not have the condition of fibro.<\/p>\n<p>There are some researchers that believe depression causes changes in the chemistry of the brain.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, some of the other researchers believe that an abnormality of the sympathetic nervous system is caused by depression.<\/p>\n<p>The sympathetic nervous system is the area of your body that helps determine the ways that you handle emergencies and other stressful situations.<\/p>\n<p>These abnormalities could be triggering the release of particular chemicals in the body that increases your sensitivity to pain.<\/p>\n<p>The result of this is the condition of fibro with depression and chronic pain.<\/p>\n<p>Taking the time to learn more about the link between depression and fibro can help you to seek the proper treatment from your physician- including, if necessary, speaking with your physician about possibly using antidepressants.<\/p>\n<p>The truth of the matter is that once you determine the best way to treat your condition of fibro as well as surround yourself with <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.chronicbodypain.net\/9-worst-things-to-say-to-someone-with-depression\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supportive family and friends<\/a><\/strong>, you will be able to control your condition.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, gaining control of your fibro can help you to get a handle on your depression- which leads to an improvement in the quality of your life.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Depression Defined<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sure, feelings of sadness are normal when you are struggling with things in life or when you lose someone\/something you love.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, depression is something that goes far beyond these feelings of sadness and can affect your entire life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Individuals who are depressed often experience the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss of pleasure<\/li>\n<li>Weight gain\/loss<\/li>\n<li>Feelings of guilt<\/li>\n<li>Feelings of hopelessness\/helplessness<\/li>\n<li>Lowered levels of energy<\/li>\n<li>Thoughts\/obsessions with death<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These can cause interference in your normal, everyday life. As mentioned, depression goes beyond normal sadness and can last for several weeks at a time.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the time, it is characterized as major\/clinical depression. However, there are other types of depression, including chronic depression.<\/p>\n<p>Chronic depression includes\u00a0bipolar, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and dysthymia.<\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-119\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwithfibromyalgia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Fibromyalgia-and-Depression.jpg\" alt=\"Fibromyalgia &amp; Depression\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Fibromyalgia-and-Depression.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Fibromyalgia-and-Depression-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Depression &amp; Fibro Link<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The stress related to the pain and fatigue of the condition of fibro can result in social isolation and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p>The pain can cause you to give up doing activities you enjoy. These things together can cause you to become much more withdrawn\/isolated- which can ultimately lead to depression.<\/p>\n<p>Some researchers believe that depression and anxiety are signs and symptoms of fibro- just like the chronic, widespread pain.<\/p>\n<p>Both depression and fibro can cause some significant interference in the way that you manage your activities.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, it is critical that you are willing,\u00a0to be honest with your physician regarding any signs and symptoms of depression you may be experiencing.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Do Fibro Sufferers Realize They Are Depressed?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Some individuals with chronic pain conditions such as fibro might be fully aware that they are experiencing depression.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, others may not realize it- but they do realize that something is not right with them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Following are the signs\/symptoms of depression associated with chronic pain:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Difficulty concentrating<\/li>\n<li>Loss of interest<\/li>\n<li>Sad\/anxious mood<\/li>\n<li>Decrease in energy levels<\/li>\n<li>Feelings of irritability, guilt, or hopelessness<\/li>\n<li>Uncontrollable crying<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In extreme cases of depression, thoughts of suicide or death can occur.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Can Stress Increase Depression?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The stress of living with a chronic pain condition such as fibro can cause a person to go into what is known as \u201coverload.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This means that they end up having overwhelming feelings of anxiety and nervousness. However, what is not clear is whether the stress leads to the fibro or vice-versa.<\/p>\n<p>However, it is known that no matter which one causes the other, stress can add to the problems.<\/p>\n<p>When stress is increased, many individuals with the condition of fibro report an increase in their symptoms.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, in some cases, a particularly severe stress event leads to the manifestation of the condition.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">Depression and Chronic Pain Conditions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Of course, fibro is not the only chronic pain condition that is related to depression.<\/p>\n<p>Some research reveals that major depression in people with chronic pain conditions is 3-4 times greater than those who do not have chronic pain.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, having major depression can increase your risk of developing a chronic pain condition. Research proves that individuals with depression report greater levels of pain.<\/p>\n<p>Individuals with chronic pain conditions typically do isolate themselves and become depressed. They spend more time alone- away even from those that they love.<\/p>\n<p>They become singly focused on their pain\/suffering instead of focusing on their lives or the lives of those around them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/2DHqcbh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-833\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwithfibromyalgia.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/best-Soothing-Stress-Support-Supplement-amazon.jpg\" alt=\"best Soothing Stress Support Supplement amazon\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/best-Soothing-Stress-Support-Supplement-amazon.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/best-Soothing-Stress-Support-Supplement-amazon-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">What if You Don\u2019t Treat Your Fibro?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you do not obtain treatment for your condition of fibro, you will most likely spiral downwards.<\/p>\n<p>The fatigue and pain associated with fibro put\u00a0limitations on your exercise and other physical activities.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re not active, your body weakens. This leads to social isolation, which can put the\u00a0strain on your relationships.<\/p>\n<p>As time passes, and your symptoms continue or become worse, you may have difficulty working.<\/p>\n<p>This means that you may lose your job- especially if you make lots of mistakes or miss a lot of days.<\/p>\n<p>Losing your income increases your stress, which increases your depression, which increases your pain- it\u2019s a never-ending cycle.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\">How to Ease Fibro-Related Depression<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is critical that you understand that the condition of fibro is much more than just tender points and deep, widespread pain.<\/p>\n<p>This condition involved everything about you. However, even though there is no cure for the condition of fibro, there is good news: you can learn ways to manage your condition and therefore successfully treat your feelings of depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n<p>Talk to your physician about ways that you can deal with these feelings- and if necessary, ask for an antidepressant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fibromyalgia\/guide\/fibromyalgia-and-depression<\/p>\n<p>http:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/fibromyalgia\/fibromyalgia-and-depression-symptoms.aspx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many studies out there that show a link between depression and fibromyalgia. In fact, some numbers state that individuals with the condition of fibro are around 3 times more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression when they are diagnosed than individuals who do not have the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[31],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=117"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":834,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117\/revisions\/834"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fibromyalgiacause.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}