How does Fibromyalgia affect the brain? Sure, the painful physical symptoms you feel are being discussed all the time. But a lesser-talked-about topic is how this chronic condition affects your brain.
Like, what literally happens to your brain when you develop Fibro? And how does it affect your mental health?
If you have Fibromyalgia (FM), I’m willing to bet you 99.9% struggle with cognitive issues.
From anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating to the inability to remember what you were about to say mid-conversation, having FM is as mentally frustrating as it is painful.
Right? I see you nodding.
So without further ado, let’s look at how Fibromyalgia affects the brain.
How does Fibromyalgia affect the brain?
Fibromyalgia affects your brain by altering your central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord.
Researchers believe that neurochemical imbalances in the brain cause ‘central amplification.’ This changes how your brain responds to pain and non-pain signals, meaning that people with FM process pain differently from those without FM.
In fact, a change in the central nervous system is a common denominator for those living with different types of chronic pain.
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Mental symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Plenty of cognitive issues plague FM sufferers, from the classic ‘Fibro fog’ to poor memory and speech issues.
Ask someone with Fibro about their number one mental symptom, and they’ll likely say Fibro fog. Fibro fog is an umbrella term for cognitive FM symptoms. It affects more than half of FM warriors.
Here’s a list of the many mental symptoms of Fibromyalgia:
- fibro fog
- feels like you’re ‘brain is broken’
- confusion
- poor memory
- can’t concentrate
- can’t think clearly
- alexithymia (difficulty pinpointing emotions, having outbursts, being indifferent or aggressive)
- slurred speech
- difficulty thinking of the next word or sentence in a conversation
- saying one thing and writing down another
- mixing up words and numbers
- perfectionist tendencies
- ruminating
- heightened anger, stress, anxiety, and depression
Is Fibromyalgia considered a neurological disorder?
Yes, Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder because it affects the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Does Fibromyalgia affect memory?
Fibromyalgia can affect a person’s memory. For instance, you might feel forgetful and slow to recall information.
Does Fibromyalgia change your personality?
Fibromyalgia won’t alter a person’s personality like a personality disorder would. Still, FM increases cognitive issues, like low self-esteem, and can negatively impact relationships (sorry, have to cancel, I can’t stand my pants tonight).
It’s common for people with FM to turn inward and isolate themselves, even if they were the bubbly, outgoing type before, for example.
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and sadness can become very heavy. In addition, the emotional distress from feeling guilty can take its toll and even worsen the pain.
In other words, Fibro is great at stirring up emotional distress.
Does Fibromyalgia cause anger issues?
People with FM, especially women, tend to be much angrier due to their pain. And that anger is usually aimed at themselves. Those negative (and 100% reasonable) emotions can increase pain severity, causing an extremely agonizing cycle.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten angry at myself. For eating the ‘wrong’ thing, for not stopping when I should’ve, for not doing enough, for…fill in your own blank. I’m sure you’ve got plenty!
And thus, gentle hugs, fellow Fibromite.
Can Fibromyalgia lead to dementia?
Studies show conflicting answers to this one. For example, a 2016 study found that people with Fibro do not experience “episodic memory losses” like those with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The study found that FM patients can have difficulty storing memories in their brains in a high-energy environment (i.e., with distractions) but do not experience cognitive decline.
However, other studies have found that FM is associated with an increased risk for dementia. For example, one study found that people with FM had more than double the chance of dementia. That’s a little unsettling, to say the least.
Either way, more research is clearly needed here.
Can Fibromyalgia cause bipolar disorder?
According to Medical News Today, the causes of FM and bipolar disorder can overlap. The conditions can even be comorbid, meaning they coincide. Similar to FM, bipolar disorder is thought to happen due to chemical imbalances in the brain.
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that 21% of participants had FM and bipolar disorder. That was 175 people out of 806. The study also found that people with FM are 7.5 times more likely to have bipolar disorder than those without FM.
However, no evidence links FM as a cause for the personality disorder.
Can Fibromyalgia cause aphasia?
Little evidence supports that Fibromyalgia causes aphasia, a type of communication disorder.
Can Fibromyalgia be seen on a brain scan?
It’s possible for Fibromyalgia to be seen on a brain scan via patterns of brain activity.
The University of Colorado conducted a study in which they performed an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) while giving the patients painful stimuli (pressure). The study concluded that the brain patterns of people with Fibro are different from those without it when exposed to the stimuli.
Sounds like another way of diagnosing Fibro is on its way…
Your takeaway
Fibromyalgia isn’t only a physical affliction but a mental one too.
Cognitive problems like Fibro fog, poor memory and concentration, and disrupted speech are prevalent, along with increased stress, anxiety, and depression.
So if you’re experiencing any of these frustrating mental symptoms from FM, you’re not the only one!
And if no one’s told you yet, I will: you are so strong for putting up with this shit. This shit that’s a blessing and simultaneously a g’d curse.
How do you cope with the mental symptoms of Fibromyalgia? Share your thoughts below!
