Psychological aspects of origin and treatment of fibromyalgia

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatological disease closely related with chronic fatigue and with affective and somatoform disorders. In this paper we revise the main aetiological theories on fibromyalgia such as comorbidity with depression, influence of stress in childhood, abnormalities in sleep architecture or disorders in the levels of neuropeptids related with pain. Strengths and weaknesses of these theories are summarized emphasizing the latest scientifical data. In the end, the present therapeutical approach are analyzed specially pharmacological treatment with serotonergic and tricyclic antidepressants and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy.