Fibromyalgia, like Chronic Fatigue and other syndromes are tricky. Why is that and why "it's all in your head" is partially correct, but misleading, not the whole story.
These syndromes fall under the umbrella of what is referred to as Dysautonomia. It is another way of saying "Your nervous system/s is/are wonky because the brain signals to it are wonky". What exactly do I mean? Everyone should understand that your body is in constant conversation with itself, particularly the brain and other systems in your body. When that signaling system is functioning properly, your fight or flight and other responses are within a certain range, even under stress. With a Dysautonomia, your body is hypersensitive, and the slightest stress, even minute physical or otherwise can heighten the fight or flight response off the charts, and this hypersensitivity means that all your systems are always on high alert, so you end up with a range of health issues, including arthritis at a younger age than perhaps you would have if you did not have the Dysautonomia. Because the signaling system between your brain and your nervous system/s is off kilter, out of synch, your responses to weather change, everything can be hyper. When doctors immediately say to someone with a range of health issues to "go see someone for counseling", are very condescending etc... or say "It's in your head", to an extent they are right it is. However, not as a psychological issue, but a messed up signals very physical issue. Patients need to always have several copies of a good article on Dysautonomia with them, so when people, even doctors make these claims, dismiss you and what is going on, you can educate them, family included. It is a malfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and for those of us who live with it daily, it is truly a journey and test of patience, of faith.
Shalom and Amen
