Fibromyalgia is Associated with an Increased Rate of Suicide

by M G Rana, MD.

Although it is an important issue that affects many families around the world, suicide is not exactly a typical topic at the dinner table. Chronic diseases may not be the main reason for suicidal tendencies to show up among patients, however, they are still a modifier that should be taken into account, just like stress and depression. 

Another important factor that needs to be taken into account is euthanasia, which is the practice of administering a painless death to someone who is suffering. This is still an important topic that is also controversial, in many countries today. While it isn’t considered a suicidal tendency, per se, it also affects the statistics of suicidal rates.

Rates of suicide and accidental deaths, however, were higher than average among people with fibromyalgia in the study. Still, the overall risk of suicide was still low and the findings don’t prove that fibromyalgia symptoms cause suicide, the authors emphasize.

Danish researchers looking at death rates in women diagnosed with this chronic pain condition found that the risk of death from suicide was ten times higher than in the general population. They also found a higher-than-average risk of death for liver disease and strokes, but no difference in overall death rates.

Patients with fibromyalgia about 2 percent of the U.S. population – suffer from widespread pain and have tender points that are painful to the touch. There is no cure for fibromyalgia, and pain medications often aren’t very helpful, so patients can have pain that is bad enough to disrupt their everyday lives for years.

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Reason behind high suicidal rate among fibromyalgia sufferers

Living with a chronic illness can be devastating. It can take away your since of purpose, life as you know it, and your sense of normalcy. This can be a lot for one person to bear. Dealing with a chronic illness diagnosis is rated as one of the most stressful events anyone can go through in their lifetime, right up there with other stressful events like, divorce, death of a loved one, moving, job loss or financial troubles like bankruptcy.

Another reason why the suicide rate is so high among chronic illness patients is the lack of support and understanding. Often they can feel lost, confused, or hopeless because this is not an illness that can be cured. There is no easy fix, often patients suffer for years on end and it can really affect relationships and families.

In turn, this causes a multitude of problems and struggles for not only the one suffering, but also those who love and care about them. Fibromyalgia patients can feel hopeless, like they will never feel “normal” or “well,” and because there is no cure, it seems even more hopeless. With a chronic illness the best you can do is manage the disease, rather than “get well.

Getting help for the pain of fibromyalgia

In the end, all of the increased health risks come back to the same thing pain. So finding a better way to cope with the pain of fibromyalgia is really the best solution to decreasing the rate of suicide, liver disease, and cardiovascular disease among patients.

Therefore, we’d like to introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic care. Upper cervical chiropractic involves precise and gentle adjustments of the C1 and C2 vertebrae located at the base of the skull. A misalignment in this area of the body may lead to problems with pain processing, inhibited blood flow to the brain, and decreased cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Correcting such a misalignment has helped some to find relief from chronic pain. With all of the risks associated with fibromyalgia, it makes sense to consider such a natural and cost-effective solution.

Suggestions to bring down the suicide rate

First, educate yourself. Find information about the illness from reputable websites. Gather as much info on the illness as you can if you or a loved one is dealing with this illness. Secondly, offer support. Ask questions, don’t assume, and communicate.

Ask your loved ones how they’re doing and how they’re feeling. Let them know you care. The third thing you can do is understand. Understanding is a very hard thing to do, both physically and mentally. If you feel like your loved one might be at risk of suicide, seek help and support from a professional.

Go to doctors’ appointments with them. Tell them you are concerned. Don’t dismiss things said in a joking way. They might not be joking at all; rather, they may be trying to tell you how they feel without being vulnerable to judgment.

It is important to keep in mind that company may be the best gift for someone going through one of these conditions. For people with fibromyalgia, friends and relatives need to take into account their limitations when inviting them to do any kind of activity, considering these is something that they will later on be grateful about and it will count as one of those things you do because you care about them.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

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References: 

  • Sobering Fact: Fibromyalgia Is Associated with an Increased Rate of Suicide via Find a top Doc
  • Fibromyalgia comes with a suicide risk: study by Genevra Pittman via Reuters

For support and Discussion join the group “Living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness”

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