What Is Fibromyalgia Depression And Why Do You Experience It?

Clinical depression such as that which often accompanies Fibromyalgia Syndrome is more than just a passing feeling of sadness, it is often accompanied with prolonged feelings of severe chronic fatigue, hopelessness, loss of appetite, loss of interest in hobbies and entertainment, with even suicidal thoughts. Depression is a disorder that affects your thoughts, moods, feelings, behavior, and physical health. It was thought that the condition was "all in your head" and that if you really tried, you could "pull yourself out of it." Physicians now know that depression is not a weakness, and you can treat this medical disorder on a biological or chemical basis.

There are three major chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters (Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine) which must be in correct balance to allow a positive, stable self-image, and optimistic mood. However, when these neurotransmitters are in an unbalanced state with one another, mood changes are inevitable. In general, when Serotonin levels drop, symptoms of Fbromyalgia depression can quickly settle in, and when Serotonin levels rise, a happy content mood generally results.

What Are The Fibromyalgia Symptoms Of Depression?

The symptoms of fibromyalgia depression are: persistent sadness, anxiousness or "empty" moods that can last up to 2 or more weeks, fatigue, sleeping too much or too little, recurrent thoughts of suicide, changes in appetite and weight, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, guilt, hopelessness, and worthlessness. If a fibromyalgia patient feels "down" for more than a few weeks, or experiences difficulty functioning in daily life, they may be suffering from clinical depression.

Depression may occur only once in a fibromyalgia patient's life. Often however, it occurs as repeated episodes over a lifetime, with periods free of depression in between. Or it may be a chronic condition, requiring ongoing treatment over a lifetime. Depression affects more than 18 million Americans of all ages and races.

Prescription antidepressant medications are generally prescribed with often adverse side effects. With proper treatment and balanced depressionFIBRO-HELP support, most patients with depression often improve within weeks, and can return to normal daily activities.

Leela is the editor for: http://www.back-fibromyalgia-pain.com