Fibromyalgia and abuse are deeply intertwined in ways that medical science is only beginning to understand. Survivors of abuse—whether physical, emoti
Fibromyalgia and abuse are deeply intertwined in ways that medical science is only beginning to understand. Survivors of abuse—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—often carry their trauma not just in their memories, but in their very bodies. Chronic stress, hypervigilance, and unresolved trauma can rewire the nervous system, leaving it stuck in a constant state of fight-or-flight.
Over time, this relentless strain can lead to conditions like fibromyalgia, where the body’s pain response is amplified, fatigue becomes unbearable, and even small tasks feel overwhelming. The weight of past wounds doesn’t just fade—it lingers in aching muscles, restless nights, and an exhaustion that no amount of sleep can fix.
Understanding this connection isn’t just about science; it’s about validating the lived experiences of survivors who have long known that trauma doesn’t just hurt emotionally—it leaves lasting imprints on the body.
Fibromyalgia is more than just feeling tired—it’s a full-body shutdown that drags you under like heavy water. It’s exhaustion in your bones, in your thoughts, in your very breath. You wake up tired. You sit down tired. You rest, and yet your body still won’t let go of the weight. It’s like carrying an invisible burden that never lightens.
1. Pain that Never Clocks Out
Fibromyalgia pain doesn’t take a break. It doesn’t punch a timecard and head home. It lingers, shifts, flares up, and sometimes just sits there, making even simple things—like standing too long, typing too much, or even just existing—feel like climbing a mountain with no summit. That kind of pain wears you out before the day even starts.
2. A Body that Won’t Recharge
Imagine trying to charge your phone, but no matter how long you plug it in, the battery never fills up. That’s fibromyalgia sleep. You go to bed exhausted, but your body doesn’t heal the way it should. Deep sleep, the kind that actually restores you, becomes a distant memory. You wake up just as tired—sometimes more—than when you laid down.
3. The Mind Fog that Steals Your Words
They call it “fibro fog,” but it’s not just forgetting where you put your keys. It’s losing words mid-sentence, staring at the computer screen while your brain scrambles to process a simple thought, walking into a room and having no idea why you’re there. It’s frustrating, draining, and forces your mind to work twice as hard for half the result. Exhaustion isn’t just physical—it’s mental too.
4. The Nervous System Stuck in Overdrive
Fibromyalgia makes your body think it’s under attack all the time. Your nervous system is constantly on high alert, flooding you with stress hormones, burning through what little energy you have left. Loud noises feel louder. Lights seem too bright. The slightest touch can feel like a slap. Living in a body that overreacts to everything is exhausting.
5. The Cost of Every Little Thing
Everything takes more energy. Grocery shopping? You’ll need a day to recover. Cleaning the house? Might as well block out the next two days for pain. Even something small, like washing your hair or standing too long, can leave you wiped out for hours. Nothing is “just a little thing” anymore—there’s a cost, and fibromyalgia makes sure you pay it in pain and fatigue.
6. The Emotional Toll
It’s exhausting to explain, to push through, to act like you’re okay when you’re not. It’s exhausting to deal with doctors who don’t listen, people who don’t understand, and the guilt of feeling like you should be able to do more. It’s draining to fight for yourself every single day.
7. The Crash that Comes Without Warning
Fibromyalgia doesn’t care about your plans. One minute you’re fine, and the next? You hit a wall. A full-body crash that leaves you unable to move, think, or function. No warning, no mercy. Just total shutdown. And the worst part? Rest doesn’t always fix it.
Fibromyalgia is Exhausting Because It Doesn’t Let Up.
It’s not just tired. It’s not just pain. It’s a never-ending cycle of pushing through, crashing, and trying to recover, only to start all over again. But even in the exhaustion, the fog, the pain—you keep going. Because you have to. Because you’re still here. And that? That is power.
Exploring the intersection of fibromyalgia and trauma is essential for a comprehensive understanding of this condition. Here are some resources by researchers and authors that delve into this topic:
1. Scholarly Articles:
“The Lived Experience of Fibromyalgia in African American Women” by Karen Moore Schaefer: This study provides an in-depth look into how African American women navigate life with fibromyalgia, highlighting themes such as symptom management, self-advocacy, and the role of spirituality.
“The Association Between Mental Health and Fibromyalgia in African Americans”: This dissertation examines the link between mental health challenges and fibromyalgia among African Americans, discussing factors like socioeconomic disparities and historical adversity.
2. Books:
- “Get a Life, Chloe Brown” by Talia Hibbert: A contemporary romance novel featuring a protagonist with fibromyalgia, offering insights into living with chronic pain from the perspective of a Black woman.
3. Personal Narratives:
- Karen’s Story: Featured by The Brain Charity, Karen shares her journey with fibromyalgia and functional neurological disorder, discussing the potential links between her conditions and past trauma, including domestic abuse.
4. Research on Trauma and Fibromyalgia:
- “Traumatic Experiences, Major Life Stressors, and Self-Reporting a Physician-Given Fibromyalgia Diagnosis”: This study explores the association between various forms of trauma, including physical and sexual abuse, and the likelihood of developing fibromyalgia.
COMMENTS