People who have fibromyalgia suffer great physical pain. According to a new study they may suffer a great deal of psychological painand marriage instabilitytoo.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by muscle aches and tenderness as well as fatigue. In a study of people with the condition and their spouses, researchers at the University of Missouri, found that people with fibromyalgia were almost three times more depressed than their healthy spouses and that they reported higher levels of marital troubles and anger at their significant others. The researchers, though, also found that the healthy spouses also had symptoms of emotional withdrawal and mental strain. Preliminary research suggests that fibromyalgia is very hard on both spouses because their lives are changed dramatically, said Christine Proulx, assistant professor of human development and family studies at UM. There appears to be a strong link between fibromyalgia and feelings of depression and fatigue, which can be debilitating for those diagnosed and their marriages. The mental strain felt by both spouses can negatively affect marital quality.
The healthy spouses in the study reported that it was difficult to watch their ill spouses experience pain. Both members of the couple, says Proulx, may be especially prone to mental stress because fibromyalgia has no cure. Many of the couples who participated in the study reported that they were constantly trying different treatments to manage the symptoms.
Source: University of Missouri
