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Misinformation can be as harmful as a misdiagnosis. The following are a few of the myths
about Fibromyalgia (FM) and the facts.
Myth 1: Fibromyalgia is Not Real.
Fibromyalgia is recognized as a medical condition by well-known, expert groups such as:
- National Institutes of Health
- American Medical Association
- American College of Rheumatology
- Food and Drug Administration
- Social Security Administration
- And all major insurers
The cause of the condition is not known, and there is no cure, but it can be diagnosed
and treated.
Myth 2: Fibromyalgia is Caused by Depression.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is not caused by depression. FM is a very painful and frustrating
illness to have. FM symptoms like chronic headaches, sleep disorders, and muscle aches
and pains can make living with the illness difficult and tiresome. Lack of understanding
from the medical community, as well as friends & family members, can also make many
FM sufferers feel isolated and alone.
As a result, many people with FM experience chronic depression alongside their
illness. Depression can leave you feeling alone, anxious, and extremely sad, and
can make FM even more troublesome to deal with. It is important to recognize the
symptoms of depression so that you can seek appropriate treatment from your health
care provider.
Myth 3: Fibromyalgia is a New and Rare Condition.
Fibromyalgia has been recognized by healthcare providers for a long time. Physicians
wrote about "muscular rheumatism," a condition involving fatigue, stiffness, aches, pains
and sleep disturbances back in the 1800's. The current term was coined in 1976.
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The American College of Rheumatology set out its diagnostic criteria in 1990. Fibromyalgia
is one of this country's most common types of chronic widespread pain.
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