The experience of relationships: Twelve people with fibromyalgia.

摘要

This research explores the lived experiences of people suffering from Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A chronic pain and fatigue disorder primarily affecting women, Fibromyalgia often includes a co-morbid psychiatric disturbance and a history of trauma and abuse. Although three to six million Americans have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the disorder has no readily apparent patho-physiological etiology. The lack of medical consensus has made it difficult for the medical community to mutually agree upon an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for the disorder. Given the high co-morbidity of life-time depression and anxiety, it makes sense to explore the relational and emotional wellbeing of people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. This study revealed that many of its participants have experienced multiple victimizations by family members of origin, as well as betrayals by bosses, partners, and co-workers. Almost uniformly, it took years of suffering before they were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome, but like the medical establishment, many of the respondents question the validity of the diagnosis, leaving them in further confusion and even self-doubt. Only two of the twelve respondents were in committed relationships at the time of this study, and the majority of the participants demonstrated either insecure-resistant or insecure-avoidant styles of attachment.