Is fibromyalgia a mental condition?
A. Fibromyalgia does have some psychological and even psychiatric aspects associated with it in up to approximately half the patients with this disorder. The most common problems include anxiety and depression. Patients are sometimes told that this condition “is in their mind.” This is not fair to the patient nor accurate. The patient actually feels diffuse and widespread musculoskeletal pain as well as significant fatigue. These are real symptoms to the patient. It only frustrates the patient more when it is implied to them that this is “an imagined” condition. Any symptoms of depression or anxiety need to be addressed and treated as part of the overall management of this condition.
