The Connection Between Fibromyalgia and Bipolar Disorder

The Connection Between Fibromyalgia and Bipolar Disorder

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, profound fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood issues. Bipolar disorder causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels between manic "highs" and depressive "lows." These two complex disorders share some overlapping symptoms and often co-occur.

Shared Symptoms

While fibromyalgia primarily impacts the body and bipolar disorder affects mood, the two conditions have several symptoms in common including:

• Chronic pain
• Extreme fatigue
• Insomnia or other sleep problems
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness
• Anxiety
• Depression

This considerable symptom overlap can make differentiating between the two diagnoses challenging. Experiencing severe bodily pain, exhaustion, disordered sleep, or low mood could stem from fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, or both conditions simultaneously.

Why the Overlap Occurs

Researchers dont yet fully understand the complex mechanisms behind fibromyalgia or bipolar disorder individually, much less how and why they interact. But some potential explanations for the overlap include:

• Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin that regulate both mood and pain perception
• Inflammation issues causing systemic bodily distress
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction
• Genetic components or predispositions

Further research needs to explore these speculative connections more thoroughly. But the available evidence clearly indicates a significant relationship between fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder.

Prevalence Data and Statistics

Studies show anywhere from 2050% of people with bipolar disorder also suffer from chronic pain like fibromyalgia. And 3060% of those living with fibromyalgia struggle with some form of mood disorder, often major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.

Co-Occurrence

A large-scale study published in 2021 looked at private insurance data for nearly 30 million patients. Researchers identified 140,930 patients with both fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder diagnoses over 9 years. That works out to a 4.8% co-occurrence rate.

While under 5% may seem low, it actually represents a significantly higher than average intersection of the two conditions. The prevalence of bipolar disorder overall sits between just 2-4% of the general population.

Mortality Impact

An epidemiological study followed 1,584 patients with simultaneous fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder for 10 years. At the end of the decade period, 13.4% of participants had died compared to just 2.4% of control subjects without either condition.

Having both fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder seems to increase the risk of premature mortality substantially compared to the general public. Most of these early deaths resulted from suicide or accidents.

Bipolar Disorder Effects on Fibromyalgia

Bipolar episodes and mood variability can directly exacerbate common fibromyalgia symptoms like pain, fatigue, and insomnia for several reasons.

Poor Sleep Complications

Disruptions to healthy sleep patterns negatively impact overall health. Fibromyalgia notoriously involves sleep disturbances, which bipolar mood shifts frequently compound. Without enough quality rest, pain perception intensifies while low energy levels deplete further.

Medication Interactions

Certain medications used in treating bipolar like antidepressants or antipsychotics sometimes increase bodily pain or fatigue as side effects. Adjusting bipolar medications to alleviate fibromyalgia problems poses a tricky balance act.

Low Mood Worsens Pain

Experiencing a bipolar depressive phase often worsens the pain levels and physical discomfort of fibromyalgia. Stress, sadness, and emotions influence bodily sensations. Low moods can make each ache feel more pronounced.

Activity Fluctuations Strain Muscles

The shifts back and forth between high energy manic episodes followed by low motivation depressive states put extra strain on the muscles and tender points. Activity fluctuations outside of the bodys comfort zone aggravate fibromyalgia discomfort over time.

Fibromyalgia Effects on Bipolar Disorder

Just as bipolar mood swings frequently exacerbate fibromyalgia issues, the constant pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia conversely makes managing bipolar disorder more difficult too.

Mood Destabilization

Coping with chronic widespread pain and stiffness day after day would negatively impact anyones mood and outlook. The depressive dip from persistent fibromyalgia flares partially explains higher rates of bipolar depressive episodes.

Additionally, the pain, fatigue, and perpetual discomfort make it tougher for those with both conditions to maintain the regular sleep, activity, medication, and therapy habits that help stabilize bipolar swings.

Hopelessness and Helplessness

The lack of external signs of injury paired with limited long-term treatment options for resolving fibromyalgia often lead to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Without relief in sight, depressive thoughts spiral.

Letting negative thinking take over undermines confidence, self-efficacy, and motivation to stick to bipolar treatment plans. Over time this pattern takes a psychological toll.

Suicidality Risks

Research provides evidence that fibromyalgia patients face an increased risk of suicide compared to the general public, especially those also experiencing mood disorders. In fact, suicidal thoughts reportedly occur in up to 30% of fibromyalgia patients.

Combine that elevated risk baseline with bipolar disorders already high suicide attempt rates, and the compounded effect grows alarmingly dangerous requiring vigilant monitoring.

Treatment Considerations

When fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder co-occur, developing an appropriate treatment strategy requires comprehensive coordination between care providers and practitioners across specialties.

Contraindications

Certain classes of medications pose problems when managing both conditions concurrently. For example, anticonvulsant or anti-seizure drugs often prescribed for stabilizing bipolar symptoms sometimes worsen fibromyalgia pain.

Tricyclic antidepressants frequently used for pain or sleep with fibromyalgia may trigger mania. Any treatment for one condition must not aggravate symptoms of the other. Finding the right balance provides a therapeutic challenge.

Consistent Routine

Establishing consistent sleep/wake cycles, activity patterns, healthy diet, and regular psychotherapeutic interventions lays the foundation. Adhering to basics despite mood fluctuations or flare ups equips the body and mind to better handle symptoms.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Relaxing the nervous system through modalities like mindfulness meditation, yoga, tai chi, hypnotherapy, or massage therapy lowers stress hormones. This biological shift simultaneously alleviates aspects of pain, depression, and anxiety in a constructive way.

Gradual Pacing

Learning to pace activity in a measured way to stay within reasonable energy limits reduces the likelihood of overexertion setbacks. Save extra energy for essential priorities instead of overdoing it on low priority tasks.

Set manageable goals each day. Adjust plans according to variable symptom factors. Prevent post-exertional malaise complications from the push-crash bipolar cycle.

Coping Strategies

Living and coping with simultaneous fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder poses numerous challenges. But utilizing specific self-care coping strategies empowers resilience.

Identify Triggers

Keep a mood and symptom journal tracking possible triggers that exacerbate issues. Take notes on diet, sleep schedules, exercise duration, medication timing, life events, weather patterns, etc. Look for connections to customize solutions.

Foster Support Systems

Dont go it alone. Connect regularly with understanding friends, join online support groups, communicate openly with family members. Building solid support systems provides emotional backing during difficult times.

Make Time for Pleasure

Even through the hardship of perpetual pain and bipolar mood swings, purposefully make time for simple pleasures - a warm bath, lighting candles, listening to uplifting music. Small soothing rituals boost resilience.

Practice Self-Compassion

Let go of unrealistic expectations, negative self-talk, and perfectionism. Be patient and caring with yourself, as you would a friend in your situation. Perform gentle yoga, write a letter of encouragement from an alternate perspective.

Getting through tough times with fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder centers on self-compassion to promote healing and balance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.