Fibromyalgia is one of the most frustrating conditions on the planet. Because fibromyalgia is often looked at as a condition that is unexplainable, it is almost universally misunderstood by the loved ones of a sufferer. Every day more and more discoveries are being made about this devastating condition. What is for certain is that fibromyalgia is not a figment of someone’s imagination. It is a real and painful condition that can range from mild discomfort to extreme pain. Because so many sufferers of fibromyalgia suffer greatly, it is very important that family members not only understand the condition, but support the sufferer as well.
While explaining fibromyalgia may seem like a easy task, it is actually something that takes patience and planning. Fibromyalgia is not a condition that you can simply lay your cards on the table and expect some one to understand. To the general population, widespread pain throughout your body has to have a cause. It is beyond the scope of imagination for most people to think that there is no known cause. While there are some suspicions about what causes fibromyalgia, the science and technology is still catching up to this condition.
The uncertainty and fear that fibromyalgia causes the sufferer is exactly why it is so important that family and friends are there for support. People that suffer with fibromyalgia are often incapacitated and unable to work a regular job. Many people with fibromyalgia are labeled with the title hypochondriac, and nothing could be further from the truth. Imagine suffering with horrible pain throughout your body, while at the same time being ridiculed by those that claim to love you. Such is the life of many sufferers of fibromyalgia.
As a trusted friend or family member, you should go out and read the materials on the subject before passing judgment. Just as other better understood conditions can leave a person disabled, fibromyalgia does the same. The only difference is that fibromyalgia is not fully understood yet. Keep in mind that for a long time, many of the diseases and conditions of today were once in the same category as fibromyalgia. For example, many years ago cancer was not understood. How many sufferers of cancer in years past was labeled a hypochondriac? You would not dream of doing that to someone with cancer today would you? You should give that same love and respect to the person that has fibromyalgia.
Another way that you can support the person who has fibromyalgia would be to attend a support group either with or without the sufferer. Sometimes it helps family members to see others suffering from the same disability. Compassion can be found if you are willing to look for it and embrace it. There are many people suffering with fibromyalgia all across the world, and each and every one of them need and deserve our love and respect. It is an awful daily battle that they fight. Until a cure and cause are found, the only real support and comfort most of these people have are their loved ones. We cannot let them down.
