Korean J Psychosom Med.  2020 Dec;28(2):99-107. 10.22722/KJPM.2020.28.2.99.

Fibromyalgia from the Psychiatric Perspective

• Lee Y
• Lee SS
• Kim H
• Kim H

• KMID: 2510461
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2020.28.2.99

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by the core symptom of chronic widespread pain, along with fa-tigue, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. The etiology of fibromyalgia involves a combination of biological factors, such as genetic vulnerability, alterations in pain processing and stress response system ; psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression, anger, and perceived stress ; environmental factors, such as infections, febrile diseases, and trauma. Central sensitization, which is amplified in the process of sensory stimulation, has been emphasized as a key etiological factor, as supported by enhanced wind-up, delayed aftersensation, decreased nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and functional imaging studies. Several guidelines recommend that a multimodal approach be used to treat fibromyalgia, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, tailored to each individual, and that clinicians should provide an intellectual framework through sufficient education and emphasis on the importance of self-management. The prevalence of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and other psychiatric problems is 7-9 times higher in patients with fibromyal-gia than in the general population ; moreover, the association between fibromyalgia and certain psychopatholo-gies or sleep problems has also been suggested. Since psychiatric problems, with shared vulnerabilities and risk factors, interact with fibromyalgia bidirectionally and also affect the disease course, an integrated management approach is needed to determine the risk of comorbidities.

Keyword

Fibromyalgia; Pathophysiological mechanism; Psychological factors; Diagnostic criteria; Treatment