And I don’t mean in the chemical sense. I mean in the sense that fibromyalgia sufferers are “on their own” and become even more isolated than ever before. This kind of conclusion can give communities “outs” – the ability to pass the responsbility completely onto the patient.
Self awareness is easiest when networks of friends, families and communities are supporting the indviduals seeking empowerment. It becomes even harder when people feel isolated and alone. That’s why I think one of the bigger issues deals with the community at large. How are communities responding to new health information? Does it make us feel closer and more supportive of people in pain, or can it have the opposite effect?
“ A form of ‘mind-body’ therapy that focuses on the role of emotions in physical pain may offer some relief to people with fibromyalgia, a small clinical trial suggests.”
Though I agree that self-awareness is an essential component for overcoming fibromyalgia inflammation, and that people believing that they have the “power to improve their own health” is critically important, I worry that studies like these reinforce the stigma – particlarly held in the West – that the pain is all in “their heads”.
And I don’t mean in the chemical sense. I mean in the sense that fibromyalgia sufferers are “on their own” and become even more isolated than ever before. This kind of conclusion can give communities “outs” – the ability to pass the responsbility completely onto the patient.
Self awareness is easiest when networks of friends, families and communities are supporting the indviduals seeking empowerment. It becomes even harder when people feel isolated and alone. That’s why I think one of the bigger issues deals with the community at large. How are communities responding to new health information? Does it make us feel closer and more supportive of people in pain, or can it have the opposite effect?