Adolescent Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that was more commonly found in adults until recently. Adolescents are being diagnosed with this disorder now. This disorder also has symptoms that are commonly associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Because fibromyalgia has been very difficult to diagnose for many years, this may be why we have not heard of many adolescent cases until recently. For years, fibromyalgia in adults has been considered psychosomatic (all in the patient’s head), this is another reason why we may be noticing a rise in the cases of adolescent fibromyalgia.

Because of the difficulty in diagnosing this disorder, as well as the lack of proper medication to treat it and the general misunderstanding of the disorder itself, not only have adults been misdiagnosed but teens have been, as well. Because little is known about fibromyalgia and the disorder is surrounded in mystery, there is much more research needed to answer the questions we have about fibromyalgia in general.

If you feel that your teen may be suffering from fibromyalgia, it is very important that you get them help from health care professionals as well as mental health care professionals. This will allow you to get a full assessment on your child and find the best form of treatment. Adolescent fibromyalgia can be very difficult on teen patients. Because they are already going through the hardest time in their lives trying to be accepted by the peers and being insecure about it, adding the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia can make life excruciating.