Psychological HealthCare, P.L.L.C.

Does This Description Fit You?

After working in my professional role as a psychologist with more than 150 fibromyalgia patients, I noticed certain patterns in the fibromyalgia patient's approach to life. The typical fibromyalgia patient is or used to be an incredibly effective person. If there was a task to be done, she (95% are women) would do it herself. And she would do it perfectly. She would not rest until the task was completed, and in fact probably would not even let herself be aware of fatigue or pain until afterwards. She would most likely refuse assistance on the task because others would not meet her exacting specifications.

Probably her fibromyalgia started after some trauma in her life, a period of extended stress and overload, or after a physical illness or injury. She was a very responsible little girl. Perhaps her mother was depressed; perhaps she was the oldest of many children and had caretaking duties far beyond those of most other children. Nobody ever takes care of her, not even and especially not herself. Her needs come last, if ever.

She does not know how to pace herself and fails to recognize when she is getting fatigued or sore. She does not allow herself to rest and will not recognize that her present or future pain is more important than completing a task. She will not invite or even allow others to help, and anything less than perfection is unacceptable.