Is Fibromyalgia a Psychosomatic Disorder?

Fibromyalgia is a very complex disorder andregions of the body, revealing the implication of
despite the ongoing efforts of modern medicinethe nervous system in causing fibromyalgia. The
to reveal the exact factors responsible forneurological aspect of fibromyalgia can be
causing it, the phenomenon is still shrouded inconfirmed by computerized tomography, which
mystery. In the absence of accurate data onusually reveals abnormal activity in several areas
fibromyalgia, medical scientists can only speculateof the brain. Although this fact doesn't provide
upon certain aspects of the disorder.enough answers to medical scientists, it proves
The process of diagnosing fibromyalgia is verythat fibromyalgia is the result of neurological
problematic. Fibromyalgia generates a widedysfunctions.
spectrum of symptoms but rarely leaves anyHowever, not all people who complain about
physical traces, rendering doctors unable tohaving the symptoms of fibromyalgia show signs
diagnose the disorder clinically. People with theof neurological dysfunctions, suggesting that there
disorder appear to be in perfect health when theymay also be other causes for the disorder.
are physically examined and doctors are oftenScientists believe that fibromyalgia may also be
tempted to conclude that fibromyalgia is actually acaused by underlying hormonal problems, poor
psychosomatic condition.nutrition, stress and lack of sleep. Stress,
Due to poor understanding of the phenomenon,inappropriate nutrition and sleep problems are
fibromyalgia was commonly misdiagnosed in thesuspected to cause symptoms such as body
past. When the concept of fibromyalgia becameweakness, fatigue, anxiety and poor
popular, anyone who had muscular pain and bodyconcentration, while hormonal dysfunctions seem
weakness and didn't show any physical signs ofto be responsible for generating fibromyalgia pain.
disease was considered to be affected by thisMost people with fibromyalgia appear to have
type of disorder. Also, the nature of fibromyalgiadeficient levels of serotonin, a substance that
was considered to be purely psychological.regulates the pain signals that travel from the
In present, the process of diagnosing fibromyalgianervous receptors to the brain. Fibromyalgia is
is more elaborate and certainly more conclusive.also considered to occur due to poor muscle
Although the concept of fibromyalgia is stilloxygenation, causing symptoms of pain and
relatively vague, modern medicine has foundstiffness of the muscular tissues.
important clues that can suggest the physiologicalIn present, medical scientists are unable to
aspect of fibromyalgia.determine the exact causes of fibromyalgia.
Physicians have identified the presence of certainHowever, modern medicine has recently
tender points in all people with fibromyalgia. Itconcluded upon the fact that fibromyalgia is a
seems that all patients with the disorderphysiological disorder, dismissing the theories that
experience intense pain in the same particularsupported its psychological nature.