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A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Murray Bridge, AU

Does anyone ever get the urge to hurt themselves just so they can experience a pain that they actually understand and make sense of? A pain that actually has a cause and a pain that they can actually do something about to treat and fix and heal it? Lately I've been having these thoughts and they've been concerning me so just wondering if I'm the only one?

June 5, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members deeply connected over the complex emotional experience of living with invisible chronic pain, with several describing how the... Read more

Members deeply connected over the complex emotional experience of living with invisible chronic pain, with several describing how the constant, unexplained nature of fibromyalgia can trigger thoughts of self-harm as a way to create pain that makes sense and feels controllable. Many members offered compassionate guidance, including journaling to process emotions, seeing a therapist to work through dark periods, checking medications like gabapentin that can worsen self-harm thoughts, and recognizing that hurting oneself would likely trigger worse fibromyalgia pain rather than provide relief. A recurring theme was the importance of self-compassion, permission to feel difficult emotions without guilt, and reaching out for professional support during vulnerable moments.

A MyFibroTeam Member

Hey, Lisa. I can understand where you're coming from so well. I can tell you from experience that hurting yourself might provide some momentary emotional relief, but it makes things so much worse in the long run. Do you or would you consider seeing a therapist? I'm so sorry that you are going through this and I want you to know that you aren't crazy and you aren't alone. I very much hope that you don't hurt yourself in any way and reach out for help the instant you think you might. Keep reaching out for support! Sending love your way

June 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

No worries LisaHammond, good luck with it all. I just organised to go back and see my counsellor again as I have been in a dark place lately. It is hard when you are feeling constant pain to feel positive all the time.
Give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling as this will help you get through it better. Never feel guilty for feeling depressed as it is a natural feeling to have suffering from chronic conditions. Sending you a gentle hug.

June 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

Hi LisaHammond, it can be hard to get our brain to comprehend why we are getting the pain especially when you can't see our disease. When we feel pain it leads to so many emotions. For example pain leads to fear and then fear leads to anger and that anger is what makes us want to hurt ourselves so we can see why we are hurting and we have a reason for hurting.

I am actually a qualified counsellor and I use the techniques I have learnt to help me through the difficult times. It can help to have a journal and write down how you are feeling as it lets as see when we read it back how we are really feeling. It wouldn't hurt either to may be see a therapist.

Sending you hugs mate. I'm here to listen any time you need.

June 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member into has constant ups and downs. When it gets bad I constantly think I will never be able to handle this pain for another 60 or more years. I don't want to but i have to. I constantly worry what I will have to deal with when I'm 40 or 60 with fibro and how I will feel. But it is what it is I guess. It just takes practice to learn how to handle it and what makes you feel your best. My vitamins makes me feel really good. And every morning I stretch and that helps my day.

June 5, 2016
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member I like the idea of your new mindset and I'm glad it's having a positive affect on you :) I've been trying that lately too and pushing myself to do a bit more everyday and it was going well, I felt almost like a normal human but now I seem to have just fallen in a heap :/ and unfortunately I don't have a partner or anyone to carry me to bed so i'm always trying to find that balance of not doing too much which I'm sure you would know, just adds more stress lol

June 5, 2016

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