The Fibro Manual explains that with Fibromyalgia our nervous system is stuck in “fight or flight” constantly so feelings of anxiety are normal for us. Apparently even when we sleep it’s like sleeping with one eye open. Always on guard. I have a very difficult time coping with stress now. I feel like my never are pushed into overdrive. I can’t recommend The Fibro Manual enough. It is written by a Dr. who actually has Fibromyalgia herself and runs a clinic. She explains what is going on with our bodies and how we can calm the nervous system.

I honestly feel like it has caused one in me. I dont know for sure what a nervous breakdown entails but my entire nervous system feels like it’s failing me. I actually filed for a short term disability through my employer based off of a fibro diagnosis but also so I could take the time to rest and calm myself down bc there was no way with children, a full time job and just the load of responsibilities in general, that I was capable of managing all of that in addition to all the pain/anxiety/depression/odd nerve sensations i have been experiencing. I needed to make my primary focus getting well by resting and truly taking it easy to get my nerves back to a calm state. My breaking point was last week when my husband was out of town and I spent two days wide awake (no sleep for 48 hours) and I started experiencing burning pain on my body. The sheets hurt, the fan blowing on me felt like a cigarette being put out on my skin... so I reached out to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,MN bc the healthcare system we have to navigate isn’t patient centered at all. I knew if Mayo would see me, i’d have a team of people focused on me and there’d be no waiting for this test or that or having doctors look at me like I was making this all up. So bc of all the things im feeling, there are days where ive felt like i was about to have a complete psychotic break or a nervous breakdown and I plan on talking about all of this with the doctors at the Mayo Clinic. I cant be on short term disability forever so i have to try and get better. So that was a long answer but yes, i think how I feel has really caused a lot of mental issues that ive never experienced before in my life. But it’s scary having this plethora of symptoms and someone just dumping you into a “fibro” category bc they dont know what to do with you. There’s a of people on this board who have such a horrific array of symptoms that cause such complete discomfort and what makes it worse is the sadness caused by it bc it’s literally like one day you were ok and then another day you woke up ans started feeling like something had completely taken over your body robbing you of a life that wasnt riddled with so much pain and discomfort.

I'm sorry about your friend. I don't know if fibro can cause a nervous break down but stress does make flare ups worse. If your not taking an antidepressant or anxiety meds, you may want to talk to your doctor about the fear of having a nervous breakdown and see if they will give you something to help. Hang in there. Hugs

I don't believe Fibromyalgia cause a nervous breakdown but it can be a trigging factor. You have been through a lot and it is a way, your body telling you, something is up even though the pain is freaking loud enough take note lol Anyways, Fibromyalgia can cause stress, anxiety, depression, withdrawal and even suicidal thoughts becuase the pain and other symptoms are so overwhelming.

I’m so sorry you are in such a state but I totally think fibro can definitely add to a nervous breakdown! We don’t handle stress well which puts us into a deep depression and causes so much pain, you just want to give up! Also, since a physical or mental shock to our system is what puts us in fibro in the first place and has to do with nerves and nerve endings, how can it not bother us mentally?? I know at the beginning of my fibro, I was seeing a psychiatrist and it helped so much to get things off my chest!! I was at my breaking point as WSIB put me through hell and my family suffered so much and I felt so guilty! Hopefully you get the help you need and they realize how bad you are at certain points!! Good luck and big hugs!!!