Psychological aspect of primary fibromyalgia syndrome

Author: Doughan, A, Bino, M., Kawar, J. Ahmed, T

Source:
Arab Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 6(2), Nov 1995: 176-185
This study was designed to identify the presence of psychological disturbances in fibromyalgia patients and to explore the relationship between stress and depression, hypochondriasis and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients. 30 female patients, aged 25-50 yrs, with Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome (PFS) and 30 matched normal female controls were assessed by using: the Arabic Versions of Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Stress Scale, and the Whitly Index Hypochondriasis Scale. Results show that patients with fibromyalgia were significantly higher in their psychological profiles. This indicates that those patients were psychologically more disturbed than the controls and that they suffer from neurotic traits such as anxiety, depression, and hypochondriasis symptoms. Results also reveal a significant relationship between stress and depression, and between stress and anxiety symptoms among fibromyalgia patients.